tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510Sun, 23 Jul 2017 10:29:31 +0000FoodBirdingNatureWinter runningRecipesRacesWeatherSpring runningFall runningFun StuffSummer runningTravelSnowPizzaHumorRestaurantsSigns of springPastaComfort FoodCookbooksCookbook ChallengeWinter stormsBunnies Per Mile ratioFall colorsWildflowersMilestonesStupid StuffTrail RunningMarathon2009 RacesSigns of winterTV5kBoozeTrainingHikingRace shirts2012 Races2010 RacesButterfliesMoving sucksSalsaFantasy SportsRunning GearSedge wrenUltramarathonWinter driving sucksBreadCookiesFarmers MarketFuzzy squirrelsI love Thanksgiving10 Mile10k2011 RacesBlack HillsSouth Dakota8kCharcuterieMoving is awesomeNASCARWoolly Bear Caterpillars25k50KFundraiserSoup2013 RacesGolfHalf MarathonGrillingHot DishOwlsWyoming2009 Des Moines Marathon2009 Fargo MarathonChristmas 2007Christmas 2008Cooking videosCross CountryCurryIndoor runningOlympicsSausageSpring stormsVeggiesVideoChristmas 2009Devils TowerEaster 2009Fish housesHeat trainingLiving in squalorSigns of fallSnowshoeingToo much time on my hands2015 Races20kBeetsHouseIt's good to be the KingRagnarTrumpeter swan15k20 Mile201230k5 MileBadlandsBikersBirdBirthdayCassouletChristmas 2012Cooking classFood trucksFrench omeletteHalloweenHomemade baconRecipeRed-winged blackbird attackSide DishesStreet foodToyota Corona DeluxeJean's Running CaféWhere culinary exploration and distance running collidehttp://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Jean)Blogger1174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-6798039442603141310Fri, 23 Sep 2016 02:46:00 +00002016-09-22T22:11:51.999-05:00BirdingBlack HillsDevils TowerRestaurantsSouth DakotaTravelWyomingBlack Hills / Eastern Wyoming - Final Thoughts<div class="MsoNormal">Let's put a nice bow on this vacation recap that has taken far too long to compete!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AkR3Lmc-z-A/V-SJ3h_RJlI/AAAAAAAAYMI/far0q4f9ARokDH5TrmnjFSF6_XtlfUx0ACLcB/s1600/27439774791_269d9ea0c5_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AkR3Lmc-z-A/V-SJ3h_RJlI/AAAAAAAAYMI/far0q4f9ARokDH5TrmnjFSF6_XtlfUx0ACLcB/s400/27439774791_269d9ea0c5_h.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bison dotting the landscape at Wind Cave National Park</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal">In summary, here are some my “best of” type things and a few final thoughts on my Black Hills/eastern Wyoming excursion:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Favorite Place(s):</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I can’t narrow this down to just one. Every day was fun, every place I went to was different in its own way, and I would happily visit them all again. If forced to decide, I would have to call it a tie between Devils Tower and Wind Cave National Park.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqcA_Hv4ZLs/V-SHgayGFLI/AAAAAAAAYLs/7kzHDbXfc4AAy24rgy8eXRjPPb2xWLjuACLcB/s1600/27365453972_b20752cbc3_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqcA_Hv4ZLs/V-SHgayGFLI/AAAAAAAAYLs/7kzHDbXfc4AAy24rgy8eXRjPPb2xWLjuACLcB/s400/27365453972_b20752cbc3_h.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devils Tower from the road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/devils-tower-national-monument.html" target="_blank">My day at Devils Tower</a> was simply outstanding. It is such a strange and interesting location, worth it for the scenery alone. And I loved it that I found a place that offered some solitude away from the crowds to enjoy the sights, birds, and animals and soak everything in. The weather was perfect, too. A fantastic day, for sure.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My impression of <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/08/wind-cave-national-park.html" target="_blank">Wind Cave</a> was that a lot of people go there just for the cave, but the hiking trails seemed almost a little underappreciated. Unlike Custer State Park to the north which was fairly crowded with a lot of traffic (even during an “off season” weekday), I felt like I had a lot of Wind Cave to myself. The Canyon Trail was a beautiful hike, and the view from Rankin Ridge simply outstanding. I loved this place.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Fun Finds:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I enjoy being surprised and stumbling into places that turn out to be a lot more interesting and enjoyable than originally expected. For me, that was the <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/dc-booth-historic-national-fish-hatchery.html" target="_blank">D.C Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery</a> and the <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-road-not-intended.html" target="_blank">western side of the Black Hills</a> in eastern Wyoming. D.C. Booth had some cool old buildings around the trout ponds and was an unexpectedly good birding location. And Eastern Wyoming was far more beautiful than I thought it would be.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhJq64OxjqI/V-SIJI08qLI/AAAAAAAAYL0/QvIiJN-FeDADDvufCSUwOG31g0gPkLOPgCLcB/s1600/26779323974_3dabbb4f1b_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhJq64OxjqI/V-SIJI08qLI/AAAAAAAAYL0/QvIiJN-FeDADDvufCSUwOG31g0gPkLOPgCLcB/s400/26779323974_3dabbb4f1b_h.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice House at D.C. Booth</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Favorite Birds:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In all, I got to see 23 birds that I had never seen before, which was really fun. So much out there was exciting and new, and it is hard to single out just one favorite bird from the trip. (Disclaimer: there are probably 100+ birds that I would say are my "favorite birds," so take this for what it's worth!)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The American Dipper and the Clark’s Nutcracker were probably at the top of the list not only because of their uniqueness, but also the serendipitous ways I found them (Dipper recap <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-big-dipper.html" target="_blank">here</a>, Nutcracker recap <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/stumbling-upon-nutcracker.html" target="_blank">here</a>). The <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/custer-state-park.html" target="_blank">Canyon Wren</a> was also outstanding. Hard not to love the <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-sunny-divide.html" target="_blank">Black-billed Magpies</a>, too. Birds are cool.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUKU6dVP1T8/V-SGov_U1CI/AAAAAAAAYLk/KEzPHmEWDugSoEw6JJlpSVJGOvzzTfj4ACLcB/s1600/28900896930_b5ddee7419_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUKU6dVP1T8/V-SGov_U1CI/AAAAAAAAYLk/KEzPHmEWDugSoEw6JJlpSVJGOvzzTfj4ACLcB/s400/28900896930_b5ddee7419_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Dipper at Roughlock Falls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Best Meals:</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The dining options in the Black Hills region seem to be geared toward family dining. And rightfully so in a touristy area, I suppose. I guess what I am saying is don’t go to Custer expecting to find great a great Thai restaurant or anything like that. If you are into burgers, beef, and buffalo, you are in luck! A couple of places I dined at were pretty marginal (one should probably avoid a restaurant with a “For Sale” sign out front, yes?). That being said, I did find some really good food.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If I had to pick my very favorite meal of the trip, it was probably the one at <a href="http://restaurantdeguadlajara.com/" target="_blank">Guadalajara</a> in Spearfish. Everything tasted homemade; fantastic enchiladas, and the duo of salsas were delicious. In a close second place, the <a href="http://www.dakotacowboy.com/" target="_blank">Dakota Cowboy</a> in Custer served up a downright tasty burrito in a very unexpected setting. <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60865-d5005003-Reviews-Our_Place-Custer_South_Dakota.html" target="_blank">Our Place</a> in Custer was hands down the best breakfast I had in the Black Hills. Hat tip to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Pie-Place-Restaurant-Pie-Shop-and-Ice-Cream-Parlor-179392275593315/" target="_blank">Purple Pie Place</a> in Custer for outstanding ice cream, too (now I am wishing I would have tried their pie!).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Actual Running Content:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Since this is supposedly a running-oriented blog, I should mention that I did go running exactly <i>once</i> while in Custer. I wasn’t really planning on running since I would be hiking a lot every day. But I learned that the <a href="http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/mickelson-trail/" target="_blank">George S. Mickelson Trail</a> goes right through Custer, so it would have been a shame to have passed up the opportunity. The trail is a former railroad bed turned into a crushed limestone trail for hiking, biking, and such. They host the <a href="http://leanhorse100.com/" target="_blank">Lean Horse 100</a> on the trail for you ultrarunning aficionados. It was a very nice trail, and I had a beautiful day to run, so getting to run in South Dakota was a really enjoyable experience.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Random Thoughts, Tips, and Tricks:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I don't profess to be any travel expert on this region, but these are just a few random thoughts and observations following my visit. <br /><br />The week after Memorial Day appeared to be a good time to go to the Black Hills. I managed to get some better hotel rates and advanced booking discounts since this was not considered the prime tourist season. While some of the major attractions like Devils Tower and Custer State Park had a fair number of people visiting, many of the other places I went to were not at all crowded, a few almost desolate.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I touched on this in an earlier post, but I was glad I did not plan a very strict agenda. Flexibility is a beautiful thing, and nothing in the Black Hills is close to anything. For instance, I vastly underestimated my time when visiting Custer State Park, so it was good to have a relaxed agenda. The park is huge and most roads are twisty and slow with 25 to 35 MPH speed limits, so you can’t exactly zip down to the southern end of the park from the north, if you catch my drift. Just something to be mindful of when planning your days out there.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Unlike Minnesota, South Dakota laws allow great craft beer to be sold in just about any gas station. Shout out to the hotel clerk who informed me of this when I couldn’t find a listing for a traditional liquor store in Custer! :)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qwb9_s04ti0/V-SIwbBg04I/AAAAAAAAYL8/CZdqivM2afgAWw_vJxxs6UMBefwcggAlQCLcB/s1600/26756623403_02f7c3723d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qwb9_s04ti0/V-SIwbBg04I/AAAAAAAAYL8/CZdqivM2afgAWw_vJxxs6UMBefwcggAlQCLcB/s400/26756623403_02f7c3723d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crowpeakbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Crow Peak Brewing's</a> IPA is definitely recommended</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; <br />That pretty much wraps it up, folks! Thanks for following along on this journey. I'm already getting excited for the next destination vacation. Time to start planning...http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/09/black-hills-eastern-wyoming-final.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-5641232742264552722Tue, 16 Aug 2016 02:45:00 +00002016-08-15T21:45:46.276-05:00BirdingBlack HillsHikingSouth DakotaTravelWind Cave National Park<div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><b>June 3, 2016</b></i></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Today’s itinerary was the only one that didn’t really deviate from the original in any way. The plan was to explore <a href="https://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm" target="_blank">Wind Cave National Park</a> and work my way back through Custer State Park, and that is exactly what happened.</div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Wind Cave National Park is billed as having one of the largest networks of caves in the world. I guess it is spectacular, and judging by the line of people buying cave tour tickets at the visitor center early that morning (at least 30 people deep at the counter at 8 AM), it must be.<br /><br />But I was not here for the cave. My cave touring history began and ended with my college geology class. I remember we were crawling around through claustrophobic confines in the dirt, it was <i>very</i> dark, and (at the risk of dating myself fashion-wise) I ruined a pair of acid-washed jeans. </div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">No thanks, I’ll do my exploring above ground! I’m here for the birds and animals.</div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Wind Cave National Park is located directly south of Custer State Park, although it is slightly smaller than Custer at <i>only</i> a shade over 28,000 acres. Aside from the throngs of people lined up for the cave tour, Wind Cave also seemed a lots less busy. I loved it here.</div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">I stopped at a prairie dog town to watch their antics. While I was watching them, a huge bison strolled up along the road and proceeded to use a sign post as a back scratcher!</div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wke70iSXX9w/V56xMBptEGI/AAAAAAAAXYU/19LYg7UmzSAbTssJb1Gi38YaYiW-O8dZwCLcB/s1600/28402842710_61172efc61_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wke70iSXX9w/V56xMBptEGI/AAAAAAAAXYU/19LYg7UmzSAbTssJb1Gi38YaYiW-O8dZwCLcB/s400/28402842710_61172efc61_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The adorable Wind Cave prairie dogs</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx948mMRjx0/V56u_cqubaI/AAAAAAAAXYI/Iv_8O00uO10mtMt1JhQ3hd4tIt9s5plBQCLcB/s1600/27439771251_599b87d997_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx948mMRjx0/V56u_cqubaI/AAAAAAAAXYI/Iv_8O00uO10mtMt1JhQ3hd4tIt9s5plBQCLcB/s400/27439771251_599b87d997_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scratch that itch!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">The grounds at the Wind Cave Visitor Center proved to be a great location for birds. Here I found a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-breasted_Chat/id" target="_blank">Yellow-breasted Chat</a>, a very loquacious <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spotted_Towhee/id" target="_blank">Spotted Towhee</a>, and watched a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Wood-Pewee/id" target="_blank">Western Wood-Pewee</a> building a nest.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_8nkfBY2G0/V65m9YjG1uI/AAAAAAAAXn4/XrOgHmjyw7Me7-eQs7fFKnjsNO01YqJVQCLcB/s1600/26859313973_17e36b4b72_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_8nkfBY2G0/V65m9YjG1uI/AAAAAAAAXn4/XrOgHmjyw7Me7-eQs7fFKnjsNO01YqJVQCLcB/s400/26859313973_17e36b4b72_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Towhee</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6jS2LYnuUI/V65m9f-XoUI/AAAAAAAAXn8/pRqvYdma9aI_6cJujSyJNZB0sCGw76lwwCLcB/s1600/28866429851_ccb454494a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6jS2LYnuUI/V65m9f-XoUI/AAAAAAAAXn8/pRqvYdma9aI_6cJujSyJNZB0sCGw76lwwCLcB/s400/28866429851_ccb454494a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-breasted Chat</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia8ZI7Ut--0/V65pWEEfpII/AAAAAAAAXoI/4aq702FuS1ElgUis8TsRtao1UV5MpjlPACEw/s1600/28324231384_62d7689971_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia8ZI7Ut--0/V65pWEEfpII/AAAAAAAAXoI/4aq702FuS1ElgUis8TsRtao1UV5MpjlPACEw/s400/28324231384_62d7689971_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Wood-Pewee</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">From there, I explored the Canyon Trail, which was just east of the visitor center. Here I found two new birds I had never seen before – the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Says_Phoebe/id" target="_blank">Say’s Phoebe</a> and the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lazuli_Bunting/id" target="_blank">Lazuli Bunting</a>. I hiked here over an hour and didn’t see another person. I also found this <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/id" target="_blank">Western Meadowlark</a> posing beautifully for me very close to the parking lot.</div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScYUcNJcEnk/V56yUZR5YpI/AAAAAAAAXYc/yQL0x_L9mpYBYdXzZUhQNZ35mvo7XMd_gCLcB/s1600/26840101373_1612aec313_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScYUcNJcEnk/V56yUZR5YpI/AAAAAAAAXYc/yQL0x_L9mpYBYdXzZUhQNZ35mvo7XMd_gCLcB/s400/26840101373_1612aec313_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Meadowlark on the Canyon Trail at Wind Cave National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></div>After leaving the Canyon Trail, I headed north and stopped to hike at Rankin Ridge, a trail leading up to an old fire tower. The view from the top was impressive, and on a bright sunshiny day (as this was), you can see all the way to the Badlands and Buffalo Gap. I found some <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red_Crossbill/id" target="_blank">Red Crossbills</a> here in the tall pines here as well. And I only met five other people hiking. In fact, when I left, mine was the only car in the parking lot.<br /><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jKwueTlZTU/V65mQwAgCUI/AAAAAAAAXns/zW8nO15tiVEn4zAop7JTByvJilJ77UAJgCLcB/s1600/27413452786_8131b3b463_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jKwueTlZTU/V65mQwAgCUI/AAAAAAAAXns/zW8nO15tiVEn4zAop7JTByvJilJ77UAJgCLcB/s400/27413452786_8131b3b463_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rankin Ridge Fire Tower</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FN0z5sM2KWQ/V65md1eraXI/AAAAAAAAXnw/I-zayRrxEfwiHJrIWKQAJ58C29xp8sigACLcB/s1600/27413458926_c9cb5eb121_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FN0z5sM2KWQ/V65md1eraXI/AAAAAAAAXnw/I-zayRrxEfwiHJrIWKQAJ58C29xp8sigACLcB/s400/27413458926_c9cb5eb121_h.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interpretive sign at the top of the ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9az3lUqJKoo/V65mhJ1QxRI/AAAAAAAAXn0/a7kD0v8KiYoJvMSzTulYlP9G0B95f-cfQCLcB/s1600/27348297682_17f936e2be_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9az3lUqJKoo/V65mhJ1QxRI/AAAAAAAAXn0/a7kD0v8KiYoJvMSzTulYlP9G0B95f-cfQCLcB/s400/27348297682_17f936e2be_h.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacular view from Rankin Ridge looking east</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Following Rankin Ridge, I headed north into Custer. Many more bison, and one last ditch effort taking the Tiguan down a one-lane forest road to find Lewis's Woodpecker (to no avail), However, one fortuitous find was in the form of a hawk.&nbsp;<br /><br />While stopping at various road pull-offs in Custer to look at good woodpecker habitat, I spotted two hawks over a ridge. They were soaring very high, and they were making the classic hawk screech that you hear in western movies.<br /><br />One I identified as the classic Red-tailed Hawk, but the other took a little more work. This was the "Krider's" Red-tailed Hawk, a pale subspecies of the Great Plains. The following picture is not especially good and it was taken from a <i>very</i> long distance, but it was the best I got of this hawk. You can see the dark bars at the top of the wings, the small dark "commas" at the wrists, and the overall pale appearance. What a gorgeous bird.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2IF7AKn-c/V7J69Hk5hNI/AAAAAAAAXrs/_wwW0ymfw1UV1qufgNDMPIG2zSiusUzLACLcB/s1600/28727634840_e394b81d62_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2IF7AKn-c/V7J69Hk5hNI/AAAAAAAAXrs/_wwW0ymfw1UV1qufgNDMPIG2zSiusUzLACLcB/s400/28727634840_e394b81d62_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Krider's" Red-tailed Hawk in Custer State Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />That is pretty much the whole trip in a very large nutshell. I will probably do one more post on the excursion just to wrap things up.</div><div style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/08/wind-cave-national-park.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-7272317570907657195Thu, 04 Aug 2016 00:52:00 +00002016-08-03T19:52:29.891-05:00BirdingBlack HillsHikingRestaurantsSouth DakotaTravelThe Badger Hole<div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>June 2, 2016</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">After leaving the French Creek trail, I made my way around the Wildlife Loop looking for another area to hike. I stumbled upon the next location somewhat by accident. I saw a sign for something called the Centennial Trail, and I made a quick left turn.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6X3evwUhQM/V56ntrJvxFI/AAAAAAAAXXg/z39VI6pdy3sM7xiY_I0upIbL-bvUUg8hgCLcB/s1600/26903554394_4f4f28005f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S6X3evwUhQM/V56ntrJvxFI/AAAAAAAAXXg/z39VI6pdy3sM7xiY_I0upIbL-bvUUg8hgCLcB/s400/26903554394_4f4f28005f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Centennial Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The <a href="http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/trails/centennial-trailheads.aspx" target="_blank">Centennial Trail</a> is a 111 mile long hiking trail that traverses the Black Hills region, perhaps not unlike the Superior Hiking Trail that we are familiar with here in Minnesota. I figured this would be a good place to do a little exploring.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jDvBpUgNbQ0/V56onHl0qYI/AAAAAAAAXXo/nkQWk7DTeK0-uwfen7-SP3cCD0711mabQCLcB/s1600/27394406041_89d9b22533_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jDvBpUgNbQ0/V56onHl0qYI/AAAAAAAAXXo/nkQWk7DTeK0-uwfen7-SP3cCD0711mabQCLcB/s400/27394406041_89d9b22533_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Badger Hole</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal">The trailhead at this location was a place known as <a href="https://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/sights/badger-hole.aspx" target="_blank">The Badger Hole</a>. Here was an old cabin that belonged to Charles Badger Clark, South Dakota’s first Poet Laureate. It was a beautiful place nestled in a stand of tall pine trees. The cabin is now a historic site in Custer State Park.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KhOGqzswi0g/V56o7CSso_I/AAAAAAAAXXs/gvabe9Kkj4EvV9NHyP_j46s6APcvBXrKACLcB/s1600/26856943354_4881e0b699_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KhOGqzswi0g/V56o7CSso_I/AAAAAAAAXXs/gvabe9Kkj4EvV9NHyP_j46s6APcvBXrKACLcB/s400/26856943354_4881e0b699_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Badger Clark's cabin in Custer State Park</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />I headed out on the Centennial Trail, which passed right behind the cabin. The first bird I saw was a gorgeous male <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Tanager/id" target="_blank">Western Tanager</a> (never did get a picture of one, unfortunately, but they were so pretty to see in person!). I found a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Townsends_Solitaire/id" target="_blank">Townsend’s Solitaire</a> that made a brief appearance before disappearing into the woods. And, I located another <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-naped_Sapsucker/id" target="_blank">Red-naped Sapsucker</a> in a tree near the cabin. I was kind of on the wrong side of the light to get any really good photos, but it was enjoyable to watch him work. He is very similar to our <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker/id" target="_blank">Yellow-bellied Sapsucker</a> except for the red spot on the back of their head and a little bit fuller red on the throat.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCvNZjeeQQU/V56pvjz3EPI/AAAAAAAAXX0/_BTAe8pKgo43OashQAu43C4ZyPS5RszUgCLcB/s1600/27431922506_b709feff21_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCvNZjeeQQU/V56pvjz3EPI/AAAAAAAAXX0/_BTAe8pKgo43OashQAu43C4ZyPS5RszUgCLcB/s400/27431922506_b709feff21_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-naped Sapsucker at The Badger Hole</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I didn’t explore much beyond the area behind the cabin simply because it was so peaceful. I spent an hour here wandering around, hiking a little bit, but spending a lot of time stationary just looking and listening for birds. There was nobody here and I had the place to myself. Well, other than this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_chipmunk" target="_blank">Least Chipmunk</a> who popped out on the trail to say hello.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W4EpLvkb8eo/V6KQClSO-OI/AAAAAAAAXbg/qkyJ6Py8BFM7jIpTNcKHPI526qtHl8wMwCLcB/s1600/28720769556_d3124f30fb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W4EpLvkb8eo/V6KQClSO-OI/AAAAAAAAXbg/qkyJ6Py8BFM7jIpTNcKHPI526qtHl8wMwCLcB/s400/28720769556_d3124f30fb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friendly Least Chipmunk at The Badger Hole</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Badger Hole was yet another unexpected highlight on a trip that had many. There was another one at dinner that evening.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Following my day of hiking, I headed back to Custer craving sustenance. I enjoyed a tasty "Rodeo Bull Burger" at the <a href="http://www.buglinbull.com/home.aspx" target="_blank">Buglin’ Bull Restaurant and Sports Bar</a>, and had an entertaining conversation with my server. Through a little bit of chit-chat, I learned that he had just arrived in Custer and came there from a private golf club in Arizona. I had some experience working at a private golf club in Arizona over two decades ago, so I asked which one. Of course, it happened to be the same club! He was amazed. So was I, to be honest. It was fun learning what it was like down there now, and I think he enjoyed talking with someone who knew the place and some of the history that came before him. The world just keeps getting smaller.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow I would be off to Wind Cave National Park for my last full day in the Black Hills. </div>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-badger-hole.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-7726322982282120776Tue, 26 Jul 2016 23:52:00 +00002016-07-26T19:02:20.000-05:00BirdingBlack HillsRestaurantsSouth DakotaTravelCuster State Park<div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>June 2, 2016</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Today marked the start of two full days of exploring in and around <a href="http://www.visitcuster.com/" target="_blank">Custer, SD</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Before heading out, I had breakfast at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60865-d5005003-Reviews-Our_Place-Custer_South_Dakota.html" target="_blank">Our Place</a>, a diner doubling as a museum of Betty Boop memorabilia. Clearly this was where the Custer locals eat. I was the only person in the restaurant that the server didn’t know by name, yet she still called me “hon.” A fantastic plate of eggs, sausage, hash browns, and dark rye toast, and I was on my way to <a href="https://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/" target="_blank">Custer State Park</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The first stop at Custer State Park was <a href="https://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/campgrounds/sylvan-lake/" target="_blank">Sylvan Lake</a>, only a short drive from the town of Custer. I referenced in an <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/stumbling-upon-nutcracker.html" target="_blank">earlier post</a> that both my grandparents and parents stopped here on their honeymoons. That seemed like a good enough reason for me to stop as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jTKE07SJnM/V5Vmn0KZA3I/AAAAAAAAXTk/p8jRKJwikysJ4YTOo_L1GMe91yAjTm--wCLcB/s1600/27351264031_0d1c42019e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jTKE07SJnM/V5Vmn0KZA3I/AAAAAAAAXTk/p8jRKJwikysJ4YTOo_L1GMe91yAjTm--wCLcB/s400/27351264031_0d1c42019e_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly at Sylvan Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">An incredibly picturesque little lake. I did some hiking around and exploring. This is also a trailhead for the hike to Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota, and I met some hikers pursing that challenge. I did manage to see a new bird here as well – the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-naped_Sapsucker/id" target="_blank">Red-naped Sapsucker</a> – so it was a productive birding stop as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The thing about Custer State Park (and the Black Hills in general) is that you are not really close to anything. Every next destination seems like it is a 20 to 40 mile drive. Case in point; my plan was to drive from Sylvan Lake to hike the trail at French Creek just off the Wildlife Loop. It took me an hour and a half to get there, and I never left the park boundary! This is not a complaint, mind you. It is merely to note how vast this area is. Custer State Park is 71,000 acres! That just means you need to plan your time realizing this. Plus, it is hard to complain with this kind of scenery.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Needles Highway was a bit daunting with the tight, winding roads, hairpin turns, and one-lane tunnels carved out of the mountain. But the views and mountain formations were spectacular.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ES2-QG7Ymo8/V5VlujIoCrI/AAAAAAAAXTY/SGRtpUCDYyQP8C4iYTLJjPE01MdwhUlLgCLcB/s1600/DSCN4659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ES2-QG7Ymo8/V5VlujIoCrI/AAAAAAAAXTY/SGRtpUCDYyQP8C4iYTLJjPE01MdwhUlLgCLcB/s400/DSCN4659.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view along the Needles Highway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Eventually I made my way to the Wildlife Loop. Some of the first bison I saw were right at the entrance to the loop, almost as if they were on the clock and standing there just for the tourists! There would be many more of these seen over the next couple of days.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A bird highlight of the loop for me was the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/id" target="_blank">Western Meadowlarks</a>. These little fence post singers were all over the place, and their gurgling flute-like song could be heard virtually everywhere you went. I took some pictures of this guy near the Wildlife Station Visitor Center.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RXvtZulPxU/V1jIVZdggDI/AAAAAAAAWw4/E4nsF_okufsHaaYIJe9SqJ0bcdftqEQcwCKgB/s1600/Wmeadowlark_Custer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RXvtZulPxU/V1jIVZdggDI/AAAAAAAAWw4/E4nsF_okufsHaaYIJe9SqJ0bcdftqEQcwCKgB/s400/Wmeadowlark_Custer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Meadowlark at Custer State Park</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I finally found the trail I was looking for and did some hiking at French Creek. This was a fairly dry creek that cut through a valley and offered some great bird sightings. Here I found my first <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-breasted_Chat/id" target="_blank">Yellow-breasted Chat</a>, <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brewers_Blackbird/id" target="_blank">Brewer’s Blackbirds</a>, and the highlight was the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canyon_Wren/id" target="_blank">Canyon Wren</a>.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Lg9Y4tdTww/V5VlIr8a-aI/AAAAAAAAXTQ/NRf2unHwoQM_JpZLmiH4ADJ_FyLcon6vwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Lg9Y4tdTww/V5VlIr8a-aI/AAAAAAAAXTQ/NRf2unHwoQM_JpZLmiH4ADJ_FyLcon6vwCLcB/s400/DSCN4703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon Wren at French Creek in Custer State Park</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There were three Canyon Wrens together in a deadfall. Like most wrens, they had positively ebullient personalities. Unlike most wrens, these guys are a little bit lanky and elongated with a lengthy bill and long tail. This one was kind of giving me the business; seemingly unhappy I was there, singing and chirping from various perches in the deadfall, offering some great looks and photo opportunities. I got out of there quickly in case it was a nesting site. The Canyon Wren was of my top birds of the trip. So cute and full of energy!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1kuHp1rrP0/V5VlbCd3mjI/AAAAAAAAXTU/1Ym4C36RjHQMHWJACT7eIEp0X92C6t3CACLcB/s1600/DSCN4712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1kuHp1rrP0/V5VlbCd3mjI/AAAAAAAAXTU/1Ym4C36RjHQMHWJACT7eIEp0X92C6t3CACLcB/s400/DSCN4712.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very expressive Canyon Wren</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">For the next installment, we will stay in Custer State Park and take you to the place known as the Badger Hole. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">More to come… </div>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/custer-state-park.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-687721755735918040Thu, 21 Jul 2016 02:12:00 +00002016-07-20T21:38:34.244-05:00BirdingBlack HillsSouth DakotaTravelWyomingThe Road Not Intended<div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>01-Jun-2016</b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I departed Devils Tower in the early afternoon. The next destination was <a href="http://www.visitcuster.com/chamber/" target="_blank">Custer, SD</a>, a little over 100 miles away.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znXxeqokRAY/V5AXyGcURpI/AAAAAAAAXRo/-ek9TFD8AAQ9crFWFLHCwFpvKWn9Yw0swCLcB/s1600/27365461622_165e6919e6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znXxeqokRAY/V5AXyGcURpI/AAAAAAAAXRo/-ek9TFD8AAQ9crFWFLHCwFpvKWn9Yw0swCLcB/s400/27365461622_165e6919e6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until we meet again, Devils Tower!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Because I bumped Spearfish Canyon up on the schedule on account of the weather, the Devils Tower trip altered the original plans to drive from Spearfish to Deadwood and down through the Black Hills to Custer. Instead, a contingency plan was implemented. Logistically it made more sense to head south from Devils Tower to Newcastle, WY, and then east to Custer.<br /><br />I had no expectations, yet this ended up being the most unexpectedly enjoyable drive of the trip.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The roads between Devils Tower and Newcastle were fantastic. Not only were they in great shape and very quiet (downright sleepy in fact with almost no traffic), but they were hilly with sweeping turns, making for an engaging driving experience.&nbsp; The 70 MPH speed limit on US Highway 585 (a two-lane road!) was a foreign concept where I am from. But you aren't going to hear me complain, and it allowed for some rapid cruising. Oh, what fun!<br /><br />I am adding "Come to eastern Wyoming in a fast Audi" to the bucket list...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wzZW4mXFLho" width="560"></iframe> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The scenery was also quite beautiful. This route was a western Black Hills scenic byway of sorts, and I found myself saying "Wow!" a lot.<br /><br /><a href="http://blackhillstravelblog.com/a-trip-to-the-top-of-inyan-kara/" target="_blank">Inyan Kara Mountain</a> on the west side of 585 was particularly interesting and impressive, seemingly sitting off by itself. A historical marker along the road indicated the Custer expedition had traveled through there, and Custer himself scaled that mountain in 1874. Here's what it looks like from the road (thanks again, Google Street View!):<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1469058779269!6m8!1m7!1s_v5KR1tGRCvXKh5om9MGnw!2m2!1d44.23695854259662!2d-104.2790607652488!3f245.87!4f1.9000000000000057!5f0.7820865974627469" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Closer to Newcastle, I stopped the very scenic Salt Creek Overlook for a spectacular view of the west side of the Black Hills.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JjKArVTLGY/V5AQmKLogLI/AAAAAAAAXRI/0nOtVDXXdI89bGrKV-8WKdBAkySNs4mWACLcB/s1600/27430413886_9ba1ffe3b8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JjKArVTLGY/V5AQmKLogLI/AAAAAAAAXRI/0nOtVDXXdI89bGrKV-8WKdBAkySNs4mWACLcB/s400/27430413886_9ba1ffe3b8_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt Creek Overlook</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwOox0P0c8w/V5ARAD-p4wI/AAAAAAAAXRM/O3N-DrjzT3kIe46MmPQ0BF8qpnluAeQdgCLcB/s1600/26855523274_fdc31e3587_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwOox0P0c8w/V5ARAD-p4wI/AAAAAAAAXRM/O3N-DrjzT3kIe46MmPQ0BF8qpnluAeQdgCLcB/s400/26855523274_fdc31e3587_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign at the Salt Creek Overlook, talkin' Turkeys!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Eventually I crossed back into South Dakota. Before getting to Custer, I made a stop to do a little more hiking at <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110203&amp;ttype=recarea&amp;recid=62795&amp;actid=50&amp;navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&amp;position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&amp;navid=110160000000000&amp;pnavid=110000000000000&amp;cid=FSE_003714&amp;pname=Black+Hills+National+Forest+-+Hell+Canyon+Trail+(Trail+%2332)" target="_blank">Hell Canyon</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x535wpv-4Qg/V5ASZC1BweI/AAAAAAAAXRY/nzck299_3V44lrsH7VSWzkLIE__iL6L9ACLcB/s1600/28367886015_5ce8d8b005_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x535wpv-4Qg/V5ASZC1BweI/AAAAAAAAXRY/nzck299_3V44lrsH7VSWzkLIE__iL6L9ACLcB/s400/28367886015_5ce8d8b005_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell Canyon</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This was a fun place to hike, and it was a very cool trail cutting through a canyon, as the name would imply. Back in 2000, there was a wildfire that ripped through here which scorched the forest and ended up attracting woodpeckers to feast on the dead trees. I was hoping I might see a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lewiss_Woodpecker/id" target="_blank">Lewis's Woodpecker</a> here.<br /><br />Truthfully, I didn't see a lot. The bird activity was a little quiet in the afternoon hours, and quite honestly, I was getting a little tired from all the hiking at Devils Tower, not to mention the driving. I did find a couple of <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dusky_Flycatcher/id" target="_blank">Dusky Flycatchers</a> here, and that was a first for me, but otherwise the birding was a little slow.<br /><br />From here, it was a few short miles to the next base camp (again, the Holiday Inn Express!). Believe it or not, there is still much more to come with two full days in and around Custer! Stay tuned for more adventures on the Needles Highway and the Wildlife Loop.</div>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-road-not-intended.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-6148413830836040688Sun, 17 Jul 2016 01:29:00 +00002016-07-16T20:38:25.626-05:00BirdingDevils TowerNatureTravelWyomingDevils Tower National Monument<div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>June 1, 2016</b></i> <br /><br />It’s pretty hard to miss <a href="https://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm" target="_blank">Devils Tower National Monument</a>. You can see it from miles away with its majestic silhouette rising above the landscape.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGPOR9DBOz8/V38EWcW-64I/AAAAAAAAXJw/H_0SCNsLvXoiCDiWimNB-tvoNexduIVmACLcB/s1600/27464601185_51500abf7e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGPOR9DBOz8/V38EWcW-64I/AAAAAAAAXJw/H_0SCNsLvXoiCDiWimNB-tvoNexduIVmACLcB/s400/27464601185_51500abf7e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devils Tower off in the distance</td></tr></tbody></table>Blessed with a positively beautiful day after yesterday’s wild winds (bright, sunny, crisp, and cool - perfection!), I arrived fairly early and spent a good hour and a half walking the trail around the tower. I took the precaution of lining my hat with tin foil in case there were any unexpected close encounters of the third kind, but those fears proved to be unfounded. ;-)<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IDABVdrR4gA" width="420"></iframe> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a lovely hike through the pines in the shadows of this imposing rock formation. Looking at the tower through the binoculars, you could see several mountain climbers; tiny specks on the sheer cliffs, tenaciously making their way to the top. That looked quite daunting, and I was greatly preferring being on solid ground down below!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Along the tower trail, I got to see some new birds; the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Plumbeous_Vireo/id" target="_blank">Plumbeous Vireo</a> (closely related to the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue-headed_Vireo/id" target="_blank">Blue-headed Vireo</a> that we see in Minnesota - once upon a time they were considered the same species, the Solitary Vireo), the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spotted_Towhee/id" target="_blank">Spotted Towhee</a>, and I also found a couple of adorable <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rock_Wren/id" target="_blank">Rock Wrens</a>. The wrens were particularly fun, and I got to watch them hop around very close to the trail for a few minutes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hg_udsehFCc/V38GNVy4sII/AAAAAAAAXJ8/K7aEYbF5doEXZtsU2weyBjrUxVmMy5NugCLcB/s1600/27880934520_4d95ccacfe_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hg_udsehFCc/V38GNVy4sII/AAAAAAAAXJ8/K7aEYbF5doEXZtsU2weyBjrUxVmMy5NugCLcB/s400/27880934520_4d95ccacfe_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Wren at Devils Tower</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">By the time I got back to the visitor’s center, business was picking up. Many more cars and even some school buses and RVs had arrived, unloading throngs of other tourists. I decided to head to lower elevation and explore other areas of the national monument. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I went to the picnic area along the Belle Fourche River, which was adjacent to both the prairie dog town and the campground. There was hardly anybody here, and my car was the only one in the lot. It also ended up being one of the best bird spots at Devils Tower, not to mention offering some of the best views of the tower itself. &nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qshXLH3SnBU/V38H5xHQ3oI/AAAAAAAAXKI/tQqZn7yBd0g04eTs2MsqI4dlehFKjhkUwCLcB/s1600/27188135880_de4f2991ff_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qshXLH3SnBU/V38H5xHQ3oI/AAAAAAAAXKI/tQqZn7yBd0g04eTs2MsqI4dlehFKjhkUwCLcB/s400/27188135880_de4f2991ff_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Devils Tower from below</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">New birds for me in this location included the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/id" target="_blank">Mountain Bluebird</a> and the brilliantly orange <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bullocks_Oriole/id" target="_blank">Bullock’s Oriole</a>. But I saw several other species, including the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-headed_Woodpecker/id" target="_blank">Red-headed Woodpecker</a>, <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/id" target="_blank">Western Meadowlark</a>, <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lark_Sparrow/id" target="_blank">Lark Sparrow</a>, <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow_Warbler/id" target="_blank">Yellow Warblers</a>, more of the gregarious and funny <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-billed_Magpie/id" target="_blank">Black-billed Magpies</a>, and a pair of <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/id" target="_blank">Northern “Red-shafted” Flickers</a> building a nest. Of course, the prairie dogs were incredibly entertaining as well.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bCneyp1XHs/V38IdbSjSXI/AAAAAAAAXKM/V2vml1a3KuATDUhDKDm_QCToDy0BRyv1wCLcB/s1600/28084025181_879478ba36_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bCneyp1XHs/V38IdbSjSXI/AAAAAAAAXKM/V2vml1a3KuATDUhDKDm_QCToDy0BRyv1wCLcB/s400/28084025181_879478ba36_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-headed Woodpecker</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbY_H4u4E8M/V38If_JQDEI/AAAAAAAAXKQ/y9jjVsR4Tn0Ih8b13cVVPGY0_8e1NbR0gCLcB/s1600/27546972143_ca9daf9597_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbY_H4u4E8M/V38If_JQDEI/AAAAAAAAXKQ/y9jjVsR4Tn0Ih8b13cVVPGY0_8e1NbR0gCLcB/s400/27546972143_ca9daf9597_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullock's Oriole</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzU8oSPhyC4/V38IjiEoJfI/AAAAAAAAXKY/_5nhFzipU24E2BhZ-USjsmkbWtiLrXXTACLcB/s1600/28058410422_8055102f00_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzU8oSPhyC4/V38IjiEoJfI/AAAAAAAAXKY/_5nhFzipU24E2BhZ-USjsmkbWtiLrXXTACLcB/s400/28058410422_8055102f00_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Northern Flicker at her nest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PmTzAU6Fal4/V38InFtPUqI/AAAAAAAAXKc/QHOlJ5_EB3goQmRvtqUcQtyJR_OtcCOggCLcB/s1600/27431204236_3d04b6f171_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PmTzAU6Fal4/V38InFtPUqI/AAAAAAAAXKc/QHOlJ5_EB3goQmRvtqUcQtyJR_OtcCOggCLcB/s400/27431204236_3d04b6f171_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lark Sparrow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FA1rbQgAVAg/V38Ip8K1JJI/AAAAAAAAXKg/KXQkmxWIZ2obYnwqJ_7pwguqbHuc8C0OwCLcB/s1600/27394177841_1406407f49_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FA1rbQgAVAg/V38Ip8K1JJI/AAAAAAAAXKg/KXQkmxWIZ2obYnwqJ_7pwguqbHuc8C0OwCLcB/s400/27394177841_1406407f49_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devils Tower Prairie Dogs</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I spent over three hours here, just milling around the picnic grounds, taking pictures, watching the birds and the prairie dogs, munching on trail mix, all the while being completely present and soaking in the experience. Just hanging out here below Devils Tower, not being on a fixed schedule, and not needing to be anywhere else was magnificent. It was one of the major highlights of the trip, and one of the most relaxing days ever.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XycqRTPjQug/V38JNRJxBCI/AAAAAAAAXKo/gn3QpulbYYkZn9plGi_aWJ2Z_u3YMw-AwCLcB/s1600/27146822740_92ac1a8d9f_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XycqRTPjQug/V38JNRJxBCI/AAAAAAAAXKo/gn3QpulbYYkZn9plGi_aWJ2Z_u3YMw-AwCLcB/s400/27146822740_92ac1a8d9f_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie from the prairie dog town</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">From here, it was back to South Dakota. But not before a somewhat unexpectedly fun journey to get there.</div>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/devils-tower-national-monument.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-731436422717953483Wed, 13 Jul 2016 00:50:00 +00002016-07-12T20:18:22.990-05:00BirdingBlack HillsDevils TowerTravelWyomingThe Sunny Divide<i><b>June 1, 2016 </b></i><br /><br />Do you like <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/streetview/" target="_blank">Google Street View</a> as much as I do?&nbsp; I enjoy spending a little time zooming in on maps and different sections of roads to see some of the sights and the landscapes before I go somewhere.<br /><br />Prior to my trip while I was looking at US Highway 14 north of Sundance, WY, I noticed this quaint building called the Sunny Divide Community Hall.<br /><br />(Here is the what it looks like from Google Street View - feel free to do some additional navigating if you wish!): <br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1467847496911!6m8!1m7!1suolrlWY14AIW6-XfB9RnwQ!2m2!1d44.44506550750926!2d-104.6308006014808!3f46.44!4f-13.599999999999994!5f0.7820865974627469" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe> <br /><br />It appeared to be an old, somewhat dilapidated one-room schoolhouse from once upon a time. I have always liked these buildings, and we see many examples like this in Minnesota. Their histories are known only to the locals. Generally they get repurposed for community events, 4H Club meetings (as this one appeared to be), rural voting precincts, or other things like that.<br /><br />There’s just something kind of interesting about these places - especially this one, sitting all by itself in an open field with the Bear Lodge Mountains off in the distance. While driving from Spearfish through eastern Wyoming, I made it a point to look for the Sunny Divide Community Hall.<br /><br />Why am I even bringing this up? Well, I found the Sunny Divide Community Hall. Just as I arrived, a large black and white bird with a very long tail swooped across the field and landed on the fence. It was a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-billed_Magpie/id" target="_blank">Black-billed Magpie</a>, the first one I have ever seen. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4_JlYnvU04/V32ti-7Q-VI/AAAAAAAAXJA/A7R-RRxjGZg3GFZyC9ES85ThKvDWx4OeACLcB/s1600/28036415582_7c8f0f069b_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4_JlYnvU04/V32ti-7Q-VI/AAAAAAAAXJA/A7R-RRxjGZg3GFZyC9ES85ThKvDWx4OeACLcB/s400/28036415582_7c8f0f069b_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-billed Magpie I found at Devils Tower...the next stop! More in the next post...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I love it when moments like this collide. A seemingly insignificant landmark caught my eye. It was as quaint and peaceful in person as it looked on the map, a setting that is beautiful in its own way. And it ended up being a place where I unexpectedly saw a new bird for the very first time, one that I was really hoping to see. It was as if the Magpie showed up right on cue just for me. And what a spectacular bird! Another serendipitous moment on my trip.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />With that, the Sunny Divide Community Hall became the location of my <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30033648" target="_blank">first documented sighting</a> of the Black-billed Magpie. How perfect. <br /><br />The next installment comes the very first national monument in the history of the United States. Devils Tower is only a few miles north of here!<br /><br />http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-sunny-divide.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-4127144301237467792Sun, 10 Jul 2016 01:52:00 +00002016-07-09T20:52:54.895-05:00BirdingBlack HillsRestaurantsSouth DakotaTravelD.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery<div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>May 31, 2016 </b></i><br /><br />The drizzle subsided following my late breakfast, which allowed for more afternoon sightseeing in Spearfish Canyon. That evening I had a fantastic and substantial meal at <a href="http://restaurantdeguadlajara.com/" target="_blank">Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant and Bar</a>. Chips, salsa (two different kinds, and clearly homemade), and an excellent plate of enchiladas rancheras left me quite satisfied, if not sufficiently stuffed.<br /><br />The wild winds were finally letting up a little bit following my meal, so I took an after-dinner walk at the <a href="http://dcboothfishhatchery.org/" target="_blank">D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Np_zKIHtz_o/V32kYUd0a_I/AAAAAAAAXIo/baApROszjjks_fYFv1H78jbcAx5vMb8oQCLcB/s1600/27111124080_f3e217ac97_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Np_zKIHtz_o/V32kYUd0a_I/AAAAAAAAXIo/baApROszjjks_fYFv1H78jbcAx5vMb8oQCLcB/s400/27111124080_f3e217ac97_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The fish hatchery was established in 1896 and is one of the oldest in America. They raise and release 20,000 to 30,000 rainbow trout every year. This site also serves as an archive of sorts, maintaining and preserving artifacts and records from the early days of the hatchery. There are numerous old buildings, a rail car that was used to transport fish for release, and trout ponds you could walk right up to and see the fish. It is also open to the public free of charge, but you could make a donation if you wish. A very cool place.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-02aVR3d1BzE/V32kiK5OoyI/AAAAAAAAXIs/lm6zbh4ehbE6eCMAgdF7u4AVxQY7r1WMACLcB/s1600/27111141640_236fd8f78d_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-02aVR3d1BzE/V32kiK5OoyI/AAAAAAAAXIs/lm6zbh4ehbE6eCMAgdF7u4AVxQY7r1WMACLcB/s400/27111141640_236fd8f78d_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rail car for transporting fish, and an ice house to keep the water cool</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>(Update since I visited</i> - It appears the hatchery might be <a href="http://dcboothfishhatchery.org/save-the-hatchery-from-closure" target="_blank">targeted for closure</a> this year. That would be a shame.) &nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The hatchery adjoins a city park with Spearfish Creek passing through it, and there happened to be a number of interesting birds here. I found my first <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Tanager/id" target="_blank">Western Tanager</a>, <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Wood-Pewee/id" target="_blank">Western Wood-Pewee</a>, and the “Audubon’s” subspecies of the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/id" target="_blank">Yellow-rumped Warbler</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I also stumbled upon this <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/id" target="_blank">Northern Flicker</a>. We have them back home in Minnesota, but this was the first of the western “Red-shafted” subspecies that I have seen. They look so different from our “Yellow-shafted” variety that it is hard to believe they are considered the same species. Love the orange mustache! <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9EVYNqeP90/V32amho9udI/AAAAAAAAXIM/9_zrS2-F928FA6s1GJQKR9eb3LLXUKNDwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9EVYNqeP90/V32amho9udI/AAAAAAAAXIM/9_zrS2-F928FA6s1GJQKR9eb3LLXUKNDwCLcB/s400/DSCN4348.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Flicker, the "Red-shafted" variety</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZcK7EG8Z6g/V4GotjJaOWI/AAAAAAAAXLM/tTHG0r3GLDQlYtzT1hBAB35palcsuthpwCLcB/s1600/27924481790_abce2a9783_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZcK7EG8Z6g/V4GotjJaOWI/AAAAAAAAXLM/tTHG0r3GLDQlYtzT1hBAB35palcsuthpwCLcB/s400/27924481790_abce2a9783_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the sake of comparison, here is a Northern Flicker ("Yellow-shafted") from home</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Duck/id" target="_blank">Wood Ducks</a> are also common back in Minnesota, but I found this handsome devil hanging out in a trout pond with some Mallards.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7YhI3rZe4/V32a65WNHHI/AAAAAAAAXIQ/HPpJOHRonpI0TRsia0cCw8IJ5ROTbA8GwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7YhI3rZe4/V32a65WNHHI/AAAAAAAAXIQ/HPpJOHRonpI0TRsia0cCw8IJ5ROTbA8GwCLcB/s400/DSCN4329.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Duck at D.C. Booth</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal">This place was something of an unexpected hidden gem on my trip. The hatchery and the neighboring park were very quiet that evening, and I was one of only a few people milling around. It was a great way to burn off some enchilada-based calories and see some fun sites and interesting birds.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I had a very good time at the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, and I sincerely hope they are able to keep their doors open. It would be a shame to lose this beautiful historic site.<br /><br />The next day I would depart Spearfish and make a run for the Wyoming border. Much more to come…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/dc-booth-historic-national-fish-hatchery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-3128991370077761326Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:38:00 +00002016-08-03T21:45:47.229-05:00BirdingBlack HillsNatureRestaurantsSouth DakotaTravelThe Big Dipper<div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>May 31. 2016 </b></i><br /><br />Sometimes you have to be flexible when you are on vacation. I created a basic itinerary and identified some places I wanted to go on specific days, but I purposefully decided not to plan too much to allow for such flexibility.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The only day that truly went as planned was the last.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Making my base camp out of Spearfish (if you can call the Holiday Inn Express a "base camp"), my first full day was to be a day trip to Devils Tower, WY. The following day I would drive from Spearfish to my next base camp (also a Holiday Inn Express!), Custer, exploring Spearfish Canyon en route.<br /><br />As it turned out, Mother Nature decided to throw a curve ball in the form of a high wind advisory on the first day (45 MPH gusts!). I made the executive decision to stick close to Spearfish and opted to go to Spearfish Canyon, saving Devils Tower for the next day. I figured (correctly) that the canyon would offer at least some shelter from the wind. So the first audible of the trip was called on Day One!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UzHHtl3mD3Q/V3xt3HjTZCI/AAAAAAAAXHU/1CTXpZyoKLcd3zKjI7E2DOpoFRCRpUytQCLcB/s1600/26775947683_d81045e513_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UzHHtl3mD3Q/V3xt3HjTZCI/AAAAAAAAXHU/1CTXpZyoKLcd3zKjI7E2DOpoFRCRpUytQCLcB/s400/26775947683_d81045e513_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Spearfish Creek in Spearfish Canyon</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The morning started out sunny, but rapidly turned overcast with the threat of rain showers. However, Spearfish Canyon would probably be gorgeous in any weather. Coming from the flat lands of central Minnesota, it was really something to see these mountainous ridges and winding roads. The scenery was impressive to say the least.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auoHMeB_Pto/V3xuJC_WITI/AAAAAAAAXHY/MtA9KyCSEpg2xNT7tnElAh2SeOq3mtZ5wCLcB/s1600/26775920273_d14ee62cb8_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auoHMeB_Pto/V3xuJC_WITI/AAAAAAAAXHY/MtA9KyCSEpg2xNT7tnElAh2SeOq3mtZ5wCLcB/s400/26775920273_d14ee62cb8_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridal Veil Falls in Spearfish Canyon</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the places I wanted to visit in Spearfish Canyon was <a href="http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/roughlock-falls/" target="_blank">Roughlock Falls</a>. These picturesque falls and the creeks of Spearfish Canyon are home to a very interesting little songbird called the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Dipper/id" target="_blank">American Dipper</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The American Dipper (for the sake of attempted brevity, from here on out I will simply refer to it as the "Dipper") is basically an "aquatic songbird." They live in the fast-moving, clear, clean streams of the west and catch all of their food in the water, often swimming or even walking on the creek bottoms (see the video below). The Black Hills is about as far east as they can be found. And Roughlock Falls was described as one of the more reliable places in the Black Hills to find the Dipper.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cV6IDY1TSC0" width="560"></iframe> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I parked at the trailhead and hiked the mile long trail following Little Spearfish Creek to the falls. It was a gorgeous hike, and there was hardly anyone around, so I had the place largely to myself except for a few other tourists and a fly fisherman in the creek.<br /><br />I ended up seeing some really fun birds for the first time, such as the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-headed_Grosbeak/id" target="_blank">Black-headed Grosbeak</a> and the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Violet-green_Swallow/id" target="_blank">Violet-green Swallow</a>, so it was already a productive stop. However, I spent a couple of hours scouring the falls and along the creek, and there was no sign of the Dipper.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Slightly dejected, I headed back to the parking lot.<br /><br />Upon returning to my car, it finally dawned on me that there was also a road leading directly to the falls. For some reason, I didn't notice! I came a long way with the hope of seeing the Dipper, so I figured I shouldn’t give up that easily. I hopped in the car and made another trip to the falls via the road.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Very different results this time. I barely set foot on the bridge over the creek at the base of the falls - and there was the Dipper staring at me!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aACfHtE9CJY/V1jF19loTYI/AAAAAAAAWws/rBJhsUyU1r4eCwDPM_K_SHHuhaae6yZ7ACKgB/s1600/American_Dipper_31May2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aACfHtE9CJY/V1jF19loTYI/AAAAAAAAWws/rBJhsUyU1r4eCwDPM_K_SHHuhaae6yZ7ACKgB/s400/American_Dipper_31May2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dipper has been found at Roughlock Falls!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The Dipper put on a pretty good show for me, too. Completely ambivalent to the presence of anyone, this little steely blue bird was just going about its business. It was fascinating to watch it stand in the creek and stick its head into the rapids in an attempt to find food. They are a bit of a challenging photo subject since they are kind of twitchy and always moving around, but I managed to get some decent pictures of this cute bird. I got to watch it for a good ten minutes before it finally flew down the creek and out of sight. What a treat! My trip was already made.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsQt3e9har4/V3xqKHApbnI/AAAAAAAAXG0/d6gPrm2OoOg0Cw-xNgzUwRF64c6Wq58OQCKgB/s1600/American_Dipper2_31May2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsQt3e9har4/V3xqKHApbnI/AAAAAAAAXG0/d6gPrm2OoOg0Cw-xNgzUwRF64c6Wq58OQCKgB/s400/American_Dipper2_31May2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dipper dipping! Looking for food in the rapids.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOPzJbNI8ys/V3xqMZLY_oI/AAAAAAAAXHA/eXtUxMqFjHseHfPz4HBHHhXpFL79PDR7ACKgB/s1600/American_Dipper3_31May2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOPzJbNI8ys/V3xqMZLY_oI/AAAAAAAAXHA/eXtUxMqFjHseHfPz4HBHHhXpFL79PDR7ACKgB/s400/American_Dipper3_31May2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dipper in the creek</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A funny moment happened while I was photographing the Dipper; I was intently taking pictures, and I had become oblivious to three tourists who were standing right by me. I was almost startled because I did not hear them arrive, and I had no idea how long they were there. They were all photographing the falls and didn’t even notice the Dipper. When I got back to the hotel to download my pictures, do you know how many I took of Roughlock Falls? Exactly two. An egregious oversight on my part, but that is the difference between birders and sightseers, I suppose! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8y3gSUP_78U/V3xulaciEgI/AAAAAAAAXHg/7s75C2U3Svwoiu82DS34uufVOXRViFKigCLcB/s1600/27284586202_fc7d0bad2f_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8y3gSUP_78U/V3xulaciEgI/AAAAAAAAXHg/7s75C2U3Svwoiu82DS34uufVOXRViFKigCLcB/s400/27284586202_fc7d0bad2f_k.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my two pictures of Roughlock Falls</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Following my triumphant sighting of the Dipper, I headed to <a href="http://spfcanyon.com/dining" target="_blank">The Latchstring Inn</a> to warm up (Did I mention it was kind of chilly? 47 F in addition to the wind!) and grab a late breakfast. This was a 100+ year old restaurant situated in a beautiful log cabin at the Spearfish Canyon Lodge. I fueled up on some tasty eggs, sausage, and hash browns while watching the weather turn. A steady drizzle started falling against the backdrop of the canyon. Timing is everything, it would seem.<br /><br />More exploration around Spearfish in the next installment! </div>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-big-dipper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-8200670158052853799Wed, 06 Jul 2016 01:43:00 +00002016-07-07T18:26:58.968-05:00BadlandsBirdingBlack HillsHikingNatureSouth DakotaTravelOff to SoDak<div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>May 30, 2016 </i></b><br /><br />Now, back to the beginning of my South Dakota excursion…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WR0VaNMki8g/V1jBat7qyTI/AAAAAAAAWwg/IzFtfdXcHUoF_tfn3BqlBeb_6Y7dxQcXQCKgB/s1600/20160530_132536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WR0VaNMki8g/V1jBat7qyTI/AAAAAAAAWwg/IzFtfdXcHUoF_tfn3BqlBeb_6Y7dxQcXQCKgB/s400/20160530_132536.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used this picture in the last post, but I'm using again because the Badlands were awesome.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>It has been a few years since I took a good old fashioned out-of-state road trip. I had been to South Dakota once before, but that was merely a quick border crossing at a friend’s wedding in southwestern Minnesota just to claim I actually set foot in a new state.<br /><br />Needless to say, I had never been to the Black Hills and was very much looking forward to seeing some new sights. I was looking forward to seeing some new birds as well.<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">The drive to South Dakota was fun. It was a bright, sunny day, perfect for travel. Jangly road trip music like R.E.M.’s “Texarkana” and Son Volt’s “Windfall” were cued up on the stereo. A steady stream of Wall Drug signs (I never stopped, for what it's worth - I also skipped the Corn Palace in Mitchell in case you were wondering!) dotted the landscape. Wide open spaces became seemingly more wide open until eventually I arrived on the surface of the moon. &nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The first order of business was to drive through the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm" target="_blank">Badlands National Park</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkSYi9iZcNc/V3xKLxkGubI/AAAAAAAAXGM/LEMDhlJEx3I0B9K_AMeXfVA-_kZ8XV8jwCLcB/s1600/26758292623_4777610105_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkSYi9iZcNc/V3xKLxkGubI/AAAAAAAAXGM/LEMDhlJEx3I0B9K_AMeXfVA-_kZ8XV8jwCLcB/s400/26758292623_4777610105_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Badlands</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>It was a little busy and congested at the Badlands since I happened to be there on Memorial Day. But it was totally worth the stop, and what a sight to behold. I have never seen such a rugged landscape, and the views from the overlooks were nothing short of impressive. What a beautiful place! (The Badlands National Park has a marvelous <a href="https://twitter.com/BadlandsNPS" target="_blank">Twitter page</a> as well)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRqnHqsrm94/V3xLNPvJkhI/AAAAAAAAXGU/Kgly_oy2ULsnkGxcjMA3nDZgkjoJIU2IQCLcB/s1600/Badlands1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRqnHqsrm94/V3xLNPvJkhI/AAAAAAAAXGU/Kgly_oy2ULsnkGxcjMA3nDZgkjoJIU2IQCLcB/s400/Badlands1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My first “new” bird of the trip was a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Kingbird/id" target="_blank">Western Kingbird</a> at a rest stop somewhere west of Murdo, SD. I managed to get a picture of one at the Badlands Visitor Center. A very pretty flycatcher. There were also a number of <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/id" target="_blank">Western Meadowlarks</a> here, which was another first for me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RQ8clkLmIQ/V3xLtsuA_dI/AAAAAAAAXGY/5uigbnfKuHkXp2HoAFyHDY6-OWj-50WdwCLcB/s1600/DSCN4114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RQ8clkLmIQ/V3xLtsuA_dI/AAAAAAAAXGY/5uigbnfKuHkXp2HoAFyHDY6-OWj-50WdwCLcB/s400/DSCN4114.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Kingbird at the Badlands Visitor Center</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Also, the first of many adorable prairie dogs I would see on my trip were spotted here.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqV_g4ceuqU/V3xLxdldIpI/AAAAAAAAXGc/togmQg7FmNkBRtSk4sJcoFK5cJcMz2LXACLcB/s1600/DSCN4133.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqV_g4ceuqU/V3xLxdldIpI/AAAAAAAAXGc/togmQg7FmNkBRtSk4sJcoFK5cJcMz2LXACLcB/s400/DSCN4133.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badlands Prairie Dog</td></tr></tbody></table>Stepping out of the car at the Badlands was the first time I officially felt like I was "on vacation." It was the start of a fun adventure.<br /><br />Next stop, Spearfish, SD.<br /><br />Much more to come...http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/off-to-sodak.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-1557062322998936566Sat, 02 Jul 2016 02:34:00 +00002016-07-01T21:34:55.673-05:00BirdingBlack HillsHikingRestaurantsSouth DakotaTravelWyomingStumbling upon the Nutcracker(Dusting off the old blog again...)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WR0VaNMki8g/V1jBat7qyTI/AAAAAAAAWwY/bFwj1JjGk54QkwJE_rqhYwZFS3Vw_rd6QCLcB/s1600/20160530_132536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WR0VaNMki8g/V1jBat7qyTI/AAAAAAAAWwY/bFwj1JjGk54QkwJE_rqhYwZFS3Vw_rd6QCLcB/s400/20160530_132536.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly at the Badlands</td></tr></tbody></table>Hi!<br /><br />It has been a while since I have written a blog post. Yes, I am still running, cooking, and eating well.<br /><br />Now that we are all caught up... :)<br /><br />I recently returned from a trip out west that I thought I should document. I had the opportunity to spend several days in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming in late May/early June. I visited the Badlands National Park, the city of Spearfish and Spearfish Canyon, Devils Tower, Hell Canyon, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park.<br /><br />Many of you may remember that I am a fanatical birder, and my trip was very focused around birding. This was an opportunity for me to see and photograph several species that we don't have here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.<br /><br />It ended up being one of my best vacations ever.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aACfHtE9CJY/V1jF19loTYI/AAAAAAAAWwk/bpQwG1carew6273E-C1Vnae37bXKJY6ZgCLcB/s1600/American_Dipper_31May2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aACfHtE9CJY/V1jF19loTYI/AAAAAAAAWwk/bpQwG1carew6273E-C1Vnae37bXKJY6ZgCLcB/s400/American_Dipper_31May2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An American Dipper I found in Spearfish Canyon. We'll talk about the Dipper later...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RXvtZulPxU/V1jIVZdggDI/AAAAAAAAWww/YNlQLI9Sol4-DvwPQYxUrtOak7m8iEOnQCLcB/s1600/Wmeadowlark_Custer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RXvtZulPxU/V1jIVZdggDI/AAAAAAAAWww/YNlQLI9Sol4-DvwPQYxUrtOak7m8iEOnQCLcB/s400/Wmeadowlark_Custer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A classic Western Meadowlark fence post pose at Custer State Park</td></tr></tbody></table>There was a lot of hiking, birding, eating, and even a little running (just to keep things in line with the theme of the blog!)&nbsp; I will probably turn this into a few different posts just to break things up.<br /><br />But first, let's start at the end. <br /><br />After barnstorming through the Black Hills region, my final night was in Custer, SD. My dinner plans took a bit of a detour.<br /><br />I decided to drive out to Sylvan Lake Lodge, a luxury resort within Custer State Park. I thought it might be fun to dine there since both my grandparents and my parents visited this lake on their respective honeymoons. I checked <a href="http://custerresorts.com/lodges-and-cabins/sylvan-lake-lodge/dining/">their website</a>, which said they opened for dinner at 4 PM. I had been hiking all day and hadn't eaten since 6:30 AM, so I headed right out there.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGVsFWkDjHs/V1jKVT6XtiI/AAAAAAAAWw8/741CFcZOkhYbQcx0rKcXh25SIhxETow8QCLcB/s1600/SylvanLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGVsFWkDjHs/V1jKVT6XtiI/AAAAAAAAWw8/741CFcZOkhYbQcx0rKcXh25SIhxETow8QCLcB/s400/SylvanLake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque Sylvan Lake at Custer State Park</td></tr></tbody></table>Upon arrival, I was informed that the restaurant did not open until <i>5 PM</i>. I casually mentioned that their website said otherwise (and still does nearly a month later as of this writing) and was told, "Well, that changed."<br /><br />Very well, then.<br /><br />I had put on some decent clothes since I was headed to a nice restaurant, and I had no plans to kill time or hike around while waiting for the restaurant to open. I also left the hotel without my camera (foreshadowing alert!) since I was just planning to go out for food. Hungry, I decided to head back to Custer and find another option.<br /><br />While leaving the lodge and walking to my car, I heard a strange grating sound coming from the trees. It was an unfamiliar bird call up in the large ponderosa pines. Suddenly, one of the birds hopped down into the parking lot and revealed itself.<br /><br />It was a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Clarks_Nutcracker/id">Clark's Nutcracker</a>! Three of them together, actually. Clark's Nutcrackers are birds of the western mountains, first documented on the Lewis and Clark expedition, and they are named in honor of William Clark. They love eating the seeds of pine cones. The birds were awesome, fun, gregarious, and beautiful with great personality. These were the first I had ever seen in my life.<br /><br />Because some idiot left his camera at the hotel, I took this terrible cellphone photo after I walked to within 5 feet (!) of one of the Nutcrackers.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FV9kKHjd19w/V1jAGeL9SYI/AAAAAAAAWwM/nlD8THRHAZUzupdfzKUFCa5r-N54T9vswCLcB/s1600/20160603_163543-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FV9kKHjd19w/V1jAGeL9SYI/AAAAAAAAWwM/nlD8THRHAZUzupdfzKUFCa5r-N54T9vswCLcB/s400/20160603_163543-1-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark's Nutcracker at the Sylvan Lake Lodge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Being a birder, I was in disbelief that this scene was unfolding in front of me. It was one of those teachable moments, I guess - the lesson being it is better to have the camera and not need it than to need it and not have it! But it was also one of those serendipitous moments as well. If the restaurant was open, I likely would have missed seeing the Nutcrackers altogether. What a thrill to even have a chance to see them. All in all, this was a fortuitous and unforgettable turn of events.<br /><br />After a couple of minutes with the Nutcrackers, they moved on to greener pine trees. I headed back to Custer and ended up at the <a href="http://www.dakotacowboy.com/">Dakota Cowboy Restaurant</a>, which was actually right across the street from my hotel. They were open! This was your no-frills, home cooking restaurant that has been serving hungry locals and tourists since the late 1970's. I had a beef and bean burrito plate smothered with green chile sauce and all the fixings. My server was an absolute sweetheart, too. It was the best meal I had in Custer.<br /><br />It is funny how things like this happen. Because dinner plans got derailed, I ended up having a fantastic plate of food in an unexpected place. And completely by chance, I stumbled upon one of the coolest birds of the trip.<br /><br />But there were plenty of other fun experiences and cool birds, too! More to come in future installments... <br /><br />http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2016/07/stumbling-upon-nutcracker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-920432590296473030Sun, 23 Aug 2015 02:40:00 +00002015-08-22T21:41:03.472-05:002015 RacesRacesRagnarRagnar picturesI present to you the greatest race picture of me of all time...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snlGv6lmFzM/VdYGxOd9RVI/AAAAAAAARas/o0QVpv0C6ss/s1600/2015_Ragnar_Jean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snlGv6lmFzM/VdYGxOd9RVI/AAAAAAAARas/o0QVpv0C6ss/s640/2015_Ragnar_Jean.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"So I tell them I'm a pro jock..." :)</td></tr></tbody></table>How excellent is that? Good grief, this is like a magazine ad or something. It was taken during my second leg in the 100+ heat index somewhere between Stockholm and Maiden Rock, WI. Not sure if I am smiling or grimacing. :) In any case, I am going to have this framed.<br /><br />Also, here is shot of me at my first exchange after the 5:45 AM start (hence the reason I am still wearing my night running gear!), and a picture of our awesome team:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgeYdCl4t24/VdYGxNJv97I/AAAAAAAARas/rZj8QL1Lxa0/s1600/race_892_photo_24058659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgeYdCl4t24/VdYGxNJv97I/AAAAAAAARas/rZj8QL1Lxa0/s640/race_892_photo_24058659.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing up Leg #1</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-dqy0Uamuk/VdYGxFZ8IEI/AAAAAAAARas/jRUC3l_QtQU/s1600/race_892_photo_24076513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-dqy0Uamuk/VdYGxFZ8IEI/AAAAAAAARas/jRUC3l_QtQU/s640/race_892_photo_24076513.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team #hindsight - an incredible and fun group</td></tr></tbody></table>Thanks to <a href="https://www.ragnarrelay.com/">Ragnar</a> and <a href="http://www.gamefacemedia.com/">Gameface Media</a> for making these pictures available to the runners!http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2015/08/ragnar-pictures.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-6324034218577180079Wed, 19 Aug 2015 01:45:00 +00002015-08-19T08:12:47.545-05:002015 RacesRacesRagnar2015 Ragnar Great River Relay<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdoLMctdZ8I/VdHT3ymYKdI/AAAAAAAARKU/XCGSkhQXm98/s1600/Ragnar_Team_Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdoLMctdZ8I/VdHT3ymYKdI/AAAAAAAARKU/XCGSkhQXm98/s640/Ragnar_Team_Photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go team! Our incredible 2015 Ragnar Great River crew.</td></tr></tbody></table>(Tap, tap, tap...) Is this thing still on?!?<br /><br />Apologies to any longtime readers who have no doubt noticed the mothballed status of this blog. Truthfully, I had lost interest blogging and hadn't felt compelled to write about anything. Maybe it's just me, but it feels like blogging in general is losing steam to other forms of social media.<br /><br />Also, I haven't done any races since last October. I've still been running, but I decided to take a break from training and racing for several reasons. Part of me just wasn't interested in training for marathons and such, and I didn't want to feel like I <i>had</i> to do a long run every weekend. Another part of me had some various personal quibbles with the trail racing scene in general that was ruining some of the fun (for me, anyhow). I also realized I have a lot of other hobbies that training was taking time away from (as a result, I've done a lot more hiking and birding this year). It's been a nice break. <br /><br />Last weekend I came out of my self-imposed exile and did something I have never done before. Something completely different. And it was really fun! I participated in the 2015 <a href="https://www.ragnarrelay.com/race/greatriver">Ragnar Great River</a> relay.<br /><br />To anyone not familiar with this event series, you have a 12 person team (we only had 11, though...more on that later). The team is divided up into two vans, and each runner runs three assigned legs throughout the day and night. Ragnar Great River starts in Winona, MN, and we follow the Mississippi River north. It runs largely through western Wisconsin before ending up in Minneapolis, a journey that is a shade over 200 miles.<br /><br />I was invited to the join the team by a local runner, although I really only knew her through social media. Otherwise, I knew no one else, and I didn't officially meet everyone until the day before the relay. A lesson I keep learning time and time again is that runners are the best and most welcoming of people. They were all so kind and generous. We quickly bonded like long lost friends.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xuZFrQpdYA/VdHTgBUMwQI/AAAAAAAARJg/KGvLRmhma_M/s1600/20150813_201042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xuZFrQpdYA/VdHTgBUMwQI/AAAAAAAARJg/KGvLRmhma_M/s640/20150813_201042.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winona, MN, and the bridge I ran across</td></tr></tbody></table>Our journey started at 5:45 AM in Winona on Friday. I was with van #1, and I would be the first runner out. My assigned legs were a 7.5 miler from Winona to Fountain City, WI (leg #1), a 6.3 miler from Stockholm to Maiden Rock (leg #13), and a 4 miler on the Minnesota side from Stillwater to Bayport (leg #25).<br /><br />The event is <i>craaaaazy</i>. You have this wild procession of hundreds of vans driving to the next exchange points, clanging cowbells, and cheering runners on the course. It's like a rolling party with multiple stops in various towns along the way.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZzUQivi7EY/VdHTgPpHl6I/AAAAAAAARJk/R5HrXeO95uE/s1600/20150814_134913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZzUQivi7EY/VdHTgPpHl6I/AAAAAAAARJk/R5HrXeO95uE/s640/20150814_134913.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was our vehicle - a.k.a., "Van #1"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-US9X8K3HD_I/VdHTgPaAxlI/AAAAAAAARJg/__n6ic-LcD4/s1600/20150814_103114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-US9X8K3HD_I/VdHTgPaAxlI/AAAAAAAARJg/__n6ic-LcD4/s640/20150814_103114.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other clever van decorations</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgCSvBOdlFs/VdHTgGjmNVI/AAAAAAAARJk/yiCiyONw1oM/s1600/20150814_123631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgCSvBOdlFs/VdHTgGjmNVI/AAAAAAAARJk/yiCiyONw1oM/s640/20150814_123631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buck stops here, apparently. :) </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H3Xd_dK9aro/VdHTgO7FyCI/AAAAAAAARJk/9I1elMqkUoQ/s1600/20150814_105052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H3Xd_dK9aro/VdHTgO7FyCI/AAAAAAAARJk/9I1elMqkUoQ/s640/20150814_105052.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rules to live by</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKFtrgspNeQ/VdHTgKxFV9I/AAAAAAAARJg/j8Ak_dqk5rs/s1600/20150814_103225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKFtrgspNeQ/VdHTgKxFV9I/AAAAAAAARJg/j8Ak_dqk5rs/s640/20150814_103225.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More cowbell, baby!</td></tr></tbody></table>The country we ran through was absolutely gorgeous, too. Incredibly, I had never been to Winona or this particular area of western Wisconsin. You have hilly bluffs, rolling countryside, some forests, farms, and not to mention some pretty excellent views of the river. Just spectacular.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2bz1Gj3rrQ/VdHTgPZkZ8I/AAAAAAAARJk/9MOu3neZLdA/s1600/20150814_081836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2bz1Gj3rrQ/VdHTgPZkZ8I/AAAAAAAARJk/9MOu3neZLdA/s640/20150814_081836.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very touching veterans memorial along the route.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4H9VB5A5t-M/VdHTgBBoL6I/AAAAAAAARJg/G3p22UFnadw/s1600/20150814_193334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4H9VB5A5t-M/VdHTgBBoL6I/AAAAAAAARJg/G3p22UFnadw/s640/20150814_193334.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful country church at one of our exchanges</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fei3gVjTaVI/VdHTgIXjc7I/AAAAAAAARJg/NnkgJ6gcJg8/s1600/20150814_194342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fei3gVjTaVI/VdHTgIXjc7I/AAAAAAAARJg/NnkgJ6gcJg8/s640/20150814_194342.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun setting on Day One in western Wisconsin</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z12xZEv1xgA/VdHTgMpLFBI/AAAAAAAARJg/IHLyTrUAR6E/s1600/20150814_201306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z12xZEv1xgA/VdHTgMpLFBI/AAAAAAAARJg/IHLyTrUAR6E/s640/20150814_201306.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay City, WI, another exchange point at dusk</td></tr></tbody></table>As noted, most teams have 12 runners, but we had 11. One of the guys on our team is training for a 100 miler, so he ran with <i>both</i> vans. When our van finished our legs and turned it over to van #2, we left him with van #2 until it was time for our van to run again. He pulled over 40 miles for the team in some of the more difficult terrain and in the most awful of weather. Wow!<br /><br />Have I mentioned the weather? I haven't? OK, well let's just say it was ridiculously hot and humid. Daytime temperatures would get into the low to mid 90's with heat indices pushing 110 at times. Overnight and morning temperatures never dipped below the mid 70's, and the stifling humidity lingered. Many races would have pulled the plug in weather like this due to safety issues, and I was questioning if it was wise. But we soldiered on.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UM-6MNWfGY/VdHTgNHSQxI/AAAAAAAARJg/QnADtAl-g9M/s1600/20150814_151948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UM-6MNWfGY/VdHTgNHSQxI/AAAAAAAARJg/QnADtAl-g9M/s640/20150814_151948.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stockholm, WI - What Lake Pepin looks like when the heat index is pushing 110 F</td></tr></tbody></table>Normally in weather like this, I would have phoned it in - but with all the support I was receiving from others, I found myself <i>wanting</i> to do well so as not to let the team down.<br /><br />I was really happy with how I ran, and also somewhat surprised. My second leg might have been my best of the three, and that was around 6 PM in some of the really bad late afternoon/early evening heat and humidity. I kept it steady and smart in the horribly oppressive weather and covered a shade over 10K in 58 minutes, even passing some runners along the way. I finished strong on my last leg in Bayport as well considering this was the second sunrise I saw without any sleep. Very pleased! I hadn't done a long run of more than 7 miles in months, and I covered nearly 18 in the span of 24 hours.<br /><br />However, the best part of the weekend was the camaraderie with the team. We quickly became good buddies. We took care of each other, as well as other runners (often stopping to check on runners who were having problems in the heat to offer them water or assistance). Facebook messenger proved to be an invaluable communication tool to keep in contact with the other van, giving progress updates, ETA's to the next major exchanges, etc. We cheered runners endlessly, laughed hysterically, and there were a number recurring jokes throughout the weekend that are still making me laugh as I type this. It was so great.<br /><br />In the end, it was kind of difficult to put the whole weekend in perspective. We covered so many miles through the day, night, and day, and we figured out various logistics along the way. I really didn't sleep at all from Thursday night in the hotel until I got home Saturday night. There was a shared suffering, but we pulled through. I smelled horrible and probably should consider burning the clothes I wore that weekend. And I made several new friends through our common interest of running. How awesome was that? I wouldn't change a thing. When can we do it again?<br /><br />In closing, all I have left to say is:<br /><br />Sticker. Hashtag smiley face. (Our team will understand that. You just had to be at Ragnar Great River!)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QLv-r1aIQ0E/VdPDLK2O6GI/AAAAAAAARVg/urK0kxwiCZU/s1600/Ragnar_Medal_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QLv-r1aIQ0E/VdPDLK2O6GI/AAAAAAAARVg/urK0kxwiCZU/s640/Ragnar_Medal_2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We definitely found our inner wild!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2015/08/2015-ragnar-great-river-relay.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-5160366585033989004Wed, 16 Oct 2013 02:48:00 +00002013-10-16T07:57:41.971-05:002013 Races5kFall runningRacesAutumn Woods Classic 5KSaturday I had the pleasure of joining several of my friends from work for the <a href="http://www.threeriversparks.org/events/Groups/autumn-woods-classic.aspx">Autumn Woods Classic</a> 5K, and annual fall race at the beautiful <a href="http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/elm-creek-park.aspx">Elm Creek Park Reserve</a>. The weather was a little better this year, and it was a crisp, cool, albeit slightly windy day. Very nice temperature for running. The fall colors were a little more vibrant, too. We had a lot of fun.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qbgedchf10o/UlnbuqSNIdI/AAAAAAAAIbE/GvlVgMcKwmA/s1600/autumn_woods_2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qbgedchf10o/UlnbuqSNIdI/AAAAAAAAIbE/GvlVgMcKwmA/s1600/autumn_woods_2013.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew, ready to run!</td></tr></tbody></table>This race takes place in my neck of the woods. Long time readers might recall <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2012/10/autumn-woods-classic-5k.html">last year</a> I ran to the packet pickup the night before the race. This year I changed things up a bit and ran to the race.<br /><br />I left my home and hit the trails, timing it to meet up with my buddies a few minutes before the race. I ran the race, very likely looking like a complete tool - I mean, who carries two<i> </i>water bottles with them in a 5K? ;-) And when the race was done, I ran home. Ended up with nearly 21 miles for the morning.<br /><br />The journey to and fro involved several great wildlife sightings - a few deer, wood ducks, catbird, trumpeter swans, and northern flickers. I also saw large flocks of Myrtle warblers, and white-throated sparrows, which are true signs that the migration south is in full swing.<br /><br />I didn't run the race very hard (27:25 finishing time), as I was trying to conserve energy for the return trip! A couple of my friends set 5K personal bests, so that was really cool, and I was excited for them.<br /><br />It was a great morning. Attendance looked like it was up quite a bit from last year, so quite a few folks were out enjoying the park and the race. We had a good time running in support of the <a href="http://www.threeriversparks.org/">Three Rivers Park District</a>.http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/10/autumn-woods-classic-5k.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-7443895781600341Wed, 18 Sep 2013 02:39:00 +00002013-09-17T21:39:40.287-05:00Fall runningTrail RunningVideoThe Accidental MarathonGood grief - long time, no post!<br /><br />I am here. I just haven't felt like I have had all that much to talk about. This weekend gave me something to talk about, however.&nbsp;<br /><br />I've been silently training for <a href="http://www.surfthemurph.org/">Surf The Murph</a> again, and I needed to do a long run while I was visiting my folks on the North Shore this past weekend. My Dad dropped me off in town, and my plan was to run the back roads and trails to get back home.<br /><br />I am happy to say I made it. But a wrong turn transformed my run into a 27 mile adventure through the Superior National Forest.<br /><br />Below you can find some video and pictures from the run. Enjoy! (And, learn to preview your running routes if possible, and/or work on your map reading skills!) <br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2TSisLuCXz4" width="420"></iframe><br />http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-accidental-marathon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-3958695875032667738Sun, 28 Jul 2013 18:10:00 +00002013-07-28T13:12:21.471-05:00BirdingButterfliesNatureTravelWildflowersNorth Shore - July 2013Last weekend I visited my family on the North Shore.&nbsp; A couple of my aunts and uncles joined us as well.&nbsp; Aside from the 4 1/2 inches of rain the night I arrived, we had great weather, and an excellent time was had by all.&nbsp; I ran, hiked, ate extremely well, and did some touristy things.&nbsp; A fun weekend! <br /><br />In lieu of a long-winded post, I will let the pictures speak for themselves.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqtMjfLIGkk/UfVYAD8-qyI/AAAAAAAAIO8/ezHmXmcb3ro/s1600/DSCN7743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqtMjfLIGkk/UfVYAD8-qyI/AAAAAAAAIO8/ezHmXmcb3ro/s1600/DSCN7743.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stream crossing...in the driveway! This was after our 4 1/2 inches of rain.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8rQHZ_vimc/UfVX_i2AfdI/AAAAAAAAIO4/m3G_0z5Tjr4/s1600/DSCN7755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8rQHZ_vimc/UfVX_i2AfdI/AAAAAAAAIO4/m3G_0z5Tjr4/s1600/DSCN7755.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caribou Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2eGdZ8wErI/UfVYAQtcisI/AAAAAAAAIPQ/_uAP0zVQV5s/s1600/DSCN7758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O2eGdZ8wErI/UfVYAQtcisI/AAAAAAAAIPQ/_uAP0zVQV5s/s1600/DSCN7758.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chapel at the Cathedral of the Pines camp</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imLtGQ2qAo8/UfVYAcN84NI/AAAAAAAAIPA/luOidtU1blM/s1600/DSCN7763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imLtGQ2qAo8/UfVYAcN84NI/AAAAAAAAIPA/luOidtU1blM/s1600/DSCN7763.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Marais architecture</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAPB0ZvLZi8/UfVYA9MDHAI/AAAAAAAAIPU/HIKm8A6j7yU/s1600/DSCN7768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAPB0ZvLZi8/UfVYA9MDHAI/AAAAAAAAIPU/HIKm8A6j7yU/s1600/DSCN7768.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly on Pincushion Mountain overlooking Grand Marais</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8_uuNaU2vw/UfVYHkR2OOI/AAAAAAAAIPc/OgWE5qSeJuA/s1600/jean_ann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8_uuNaU2vw/UfVYHkR2OOI/AAAAAAAAIPc/OgWE5qSeJuA/s1600/jean_ann.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My aunt Ann an me at Sydney's Frozen Custard in Grand Marais</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBf2rqMejGE/UfVYH3lFqFI/AAAAAAAAIPg/Wh8H4vpzrLM/s1600/Sydneys_Jul2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBf2rqMejGE/UfVYH3lFqFI/AAAAAAAAIPg/Wh8H4vpzrLM/s1600/Sydneys_Jul2013.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The delicious "Almond Joy Sydnami" at Sydney's Frozen Custard</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3NVYiTLDJc/UfVYu_Li7NI/AAAAAAAAIPs/VtbElACAmE8/s1600/DSCN7770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3NVYiTLDJc/UfVYu_Li7NI/AAAAAAAAIPs/VtbElACAmE8/s1600/DSCN7770.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Jean, Mom, and Aunt Ann at Pincushion</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrrQDu0Ab5Q/UfVYvHBhaSI/AAAAAAAAIP0/ezC4HbewPsw/s1600/DSCN7781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrrQDu0Ab5Q/UfVYvHBhaSI/AAAAAAAAIP0/ezC4HbewPsw/s1600/DSCN7781.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantis Fritillary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4xH1pSgu0I/UfVYu_rmG7I/AAAAAAAAIPw/AoKAw5NVn3o/s1600/DSCN7789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4xH1pSgu0I/UfVYu_rmG7I/AAAAAAAAIPw/AoKAw5NVn3o/s1600/DSCN7789.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Harris' Checkerspot that really liked my running shoe!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PX3QyDOm9G8/UfVYv-fkFeI/AAAAAAAAIQE/1KFi8T18ht8/s1600/DSCN7799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PX3QyDOm9G8/UfVYv-fkFeI/AAAAAAAAIQE/1KFi8T18ht8/s1600/DSCN7799.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waterfalls all along the North Shore were roaring</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvOg6zJtPtA/UfVYwTYdiOI/AAAAAAAAIQI/BpV5FP3NERw/s1600/DSCN7820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvOg6zJtPtA/UfVYwTYdiOI/AAAAAAAAIQI/BpV5FP3NERw/s1600/DSCN7820.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireweed - when the top portion blooms, that means fall has arrived. :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lY28fLcD5Jw/UfVYwr4UmYI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/rkcDqk4mZYY/s1600/DSCN7827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lY28fLcD5Jw/UfVYwr4UmYI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/rkcDqk4mZYY/s1600/DSCN7827.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sammy the Herring Gull, also serving as a North Shore weathervane</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jftK_Iih5Xg/UfVYw66ZU7I/AAAAAAAAIQY/HfxinMsO_Po/s1600/DSCN7838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jftK_Iih5Xg/UfVYw66ZU7I/AAAAAAAAIQY/HfxinMsO_Po/s1600/DSCN7838.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Spangled Fritillary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YnKQTSdIhV8/UfVYxKsRUBI/AAAAAAAAIQg/yh2TgPKJWew/s1600/DSCN7853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YnKQTSdIhV8/UfVYxKsRUBI/AAAAAAAAIQg/yh2TgPKJWew/s1600/DSCN7853.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lupine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqYvmJMO4S0/UfVYxuXRXnI/AAAAAAAAIQo/Yo4xZNIhrmA/s1600/DSCN7858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqYvmJMO4S0/UfVYxuXRXnI/AAAAAAAAIQo/Yo4xZNIhrmA/s1600/DSCN7858.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wild strawberries were ripe, and were they ever delicious!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlKAbqnIl1M/UfVYx-skP4I/AAAAAAAAIQw/lAQMeId3b3w/s1600/DSCN7864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlKAbqnIl1M/UfVYx-skP4I/AAAAAAAAIQw/lAQMeId3b3w/s1600/DSCN7864.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon #6 at Superior National, looking fine as always</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dSDnrE7iuOQ/UfVYyNRgCzI/AAAAAAAAIQ4/TxAKA3mON-o/s1600/DSCN7870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dSDnrE7iuOQ/UfVYyNRgCzI/AAAAAAAAIQ4/TxAKA3mON-o/s1600/DSCN7870.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly in a field of daisies</td></tr></tbody></table><br />http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/07/north-shore-july-2013.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-6456537577455603277Mon, 15 Jul 2013 02:19:00 +00002013-07-15T07:23:11.123-05:00FoodGrillingRecipesSambal Chicken SkewersThis weekend I made the July 2013 <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/">Bon Appetit magazine</a> cover recipe, the <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sambal-Chicken-Skewers-51175290">Sambal Chicken Skewers</a>.<br /><br />It is a pretty simple recipe.&nbsp; You have chunks of boneless, skinless chicken thighs threaded on skewers that are grilled and glazed with a sweet, tangy, spicy sauce.&nbsp; There is a lot of love here.<br /><br />I did things a little differently and marinated the chicken in perhaps a half cup of the sauce for a few hours, and then I simply reduced the rest of the sauce as indicated in the recipe.&nbsp; Otherwise the amounts and the grilling processes were as described.<br /><br />I grilled the skewers over a medium-high heat as directed, and the aroma was simply amazing.&nbsp; This is one of the best smelling dishes that has ever come off of my grill.&nbsp;<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0Fj2yQ9cv8/UePoVrAVduI/AAAAAAAAIOI/H4f2guelr5o/s1600/sambalchicken1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0Fj2yQ9cv8/UePoVrAVduI/AAAAAAAAIOI/H4f2guelr5o/s1600/sambalchicken1.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bon Appetit's Sambal Chicken Skewers</td></tr></tbody></table>And I can't even begin to describe how tasty this chicken was.&nbsp; So good! <br /><br />The recipe calls for what seems to be a shocking amount of sambal oelek (a thick, spicy chile paste/sauce) <i>and</i> sriracha chile sauce.&nbsp; But for as much chile sauce as the recipe calls for, it really isn't <i>that</i> spicy.&nbsp; The flavors are quite balanced - just a pleasant burn that is cut nicely by the sweetness of the brown sugar. &nbsp; <br /><br />I served the chicken along side of some fried rice and steamed broccoli.&nbsp; It was a delightful summer meal. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAz5RmMsxFI/UePolPAg0GI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/8logWA2Mv0E/s1600/sambalchicken2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAz5RmMsxFI/UePolPAg0GI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/8logWA2Mv0E/s1600/sambalchicken2.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sambal Chicken, Fried Rice, and Broccoli - yum!</td></tr></tbody></table>This recipe is going to be made over and over again.&nbsp; The sauce seems like it would be quite versatile, so I could see using this with grilled pork or shrimp as well.&nbsp; Really tasty stuff, and highly recommended. http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/07/sambal-chicken-skewers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-5501068270226908014Sun, 07 Jul 2013 17:27:00 +00002013-07-07T12:30:28.261-05:002013 Races25kHeat trainingRace shirtsRacesTrail RunningWeatherAfton 25K Trail RunSaturday I had the pleasure of joining 600 other runners for the 20th running of <a href="https://www.aftontrailrun.com/">Afton Trail Run</a> at scenic <a href="http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/afton/index.html">Afton State Park</a> near Hastings, MN.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxL7knXCoRc/Udl-bN1hyJI/AAAAAAAAIM4/PXfHS3D40Aw/s1600/afton_crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxL7knXCoRc/Udl-bN1hyJI/AAAAAAAAIM4/PXfHS3D40Aw/s1600/afton_crowd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners gathering at the start of the race</td></tr></tbody></table>Afton State Park is located right on the St. Croix River separating Minnesota and Wisconsin.&nbsp; It features an interesting mix of dense oak forests and wide open prairie land.&nbsp; Also, there are many hills.&nbsp; The trails are diverse.&nbsp; There's some single track, but we also ran on a lot of double track and some wide dirt paths.&nbsp; It is a beautiful park with great trails.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kj4ALzlGF4E/UdmAl8jAyeI/AAAAAAAAINI/RA406sxcZcU/s1600/afton_flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kj4ALzlGF4E/UdmAl8jAyeI/AAAAAAAAINI/RA406sxcZcU/s1600/afton_flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of the many wildflowers in bloom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lsmaEcoxLk/UdmAlwN736I/AAAAAAAAINM/CZPziXWV2BA/s1600/afton_prairie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lsmaEcoxLk/UdmAlwN736I/AAAAAAAAINM/CZPziXWV2BA/s1600/afton_prairie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide open spaces at Afton State Park</td></tr></tbody></table>I left my house at 4:30 AM to make the hour long drive to Afton.&nbsp; It was already 77 degrees and humid before the sun even came up.&nbsp; Conditions were going to be steamy. <br /><br />Allow me to summarize my race in the next two photos:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6hHhMb7tiI/UdmBBfi0smI/AAAAAAAAINc/IPb-oMPXwC4/s1600/Afton1_before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6hHhMb7tiI/UdmBBfi0smI/AAAAAAAAINc/IPb-oMPXwC4/s1600/Afton1_before.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the Afton 25K...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SpzYcVPUNM/UdmBQQiRflI/AAAAAAAAINg/zRCsmwSD-nQ/s1600/Afton2_after.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SpzYcVPUNM/UdmBQQiRflI/AAAAAAAAINg/zRCsmwSD-nQ/s1600/Afton2_after.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and after!</td></tr></tbody></table>Simply put, I had a terrible race.&nbsp; Honestly, I felt better after the <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/05/superior-spring-trail-race-50k.html">Superior 50K</a> than I did after this 25K.&nbsp; This was the kind of weather where you are sweating profusely after the first mile.&nbsp; Running in the woods offered some shade, but the trails through the open areas were really warm with the hazy sun taking its toll.&nbsp; <br /><br />There were a couple of fun moments bombing down some of the hills, but those moments were few and far between.&nbsp; The fog of summer trail running would soon take over.&nbsp; Overheated with clothes completely saturated, it just became really difficult to run.&nbsp; I felt like I was going to throw up around mile 14, and I did a lot of walking over the last few miles.&nbsp; A quick check of the weather after I finished revealed it was 85 degrees with a dew point of 64.&nbsp; Yuck.&nbsp; <br /><br />But let's not dwell on the negatives!&nbsp; This is a really great, well orchestrated event.&nbsp; I got to say hi to a few folks, including Wayne who was running, and <a href="http://stevequick.blogspot.com/">Steve</a> who was volunteering at an aid station.&nbsp; All of the volunteers were awesome and helpful.<br /><br />Heard and saw lots of wildlife too, including many loud ovenbirds, eastern wood-pewees, cardinals, field sparrows, pileated and red-bellied woodpeckers, lots of wildflowers in bloom, and some sort of fritillary butterfly.&nbsp; And I got a sweet race shirt with a crow on it, so that is pretty cool.&nbsp; At least, I am calling it a crow - the bill appears to be too slender for a raven. :) &nbsp; <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OB8Yl1F_5kY/UdmO2anmYTI/AAAAAAAAINw/rCiSGb3jf28/s1600/Afton_Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OB8Yl1F_5kY/UdmO2anmYTI/AAAAAAAAINw/rCiSGb3jf28/s1600/Afton_Shirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race shirt with an ornithological theme</td></tr></tbody></table>Remember <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2012/06/lake-waconia-half-marathon.html">last year</a> when I said I was going to retire from summer races?&nbsp; This time I think I mean it.&nbsp; Overheated, chaffed, and blistered is no way to go through the summer.&nbsp; Next year, I think I will volunteer instead. &nbsp; &nbsp; http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/07/afton-25k-trail-run.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-5848457111524191299Tue, 02 Jul 2013 02:49:00 +00002013-07-02T06:59:08.561-05:00FoodGrillingSalsaGrilled Pork Tenderloin TacosI made a fun and tasty meal on Sunday.<br /><br />I saw this recipe for <a href="http://www.meatwave.com/blog/grilled-mexican-roadside-chicken-recipe">Mexican Roadside Chicken</a> that sounded really good.&nbsp; While the chicken looked awesome, I had some pork tenderloin that I wanted to grill.<br /><br />The sauce seemed as if it would be quite versatile - orange juice, ancho chile powder, cider vinegar, garlic, Mexican oregano, and some earthy cinnamon and cloves.&nbsp; So I lifted the sauce portion of recipe, making a double batch.&nbsp; I used half as a marinade for the pork (about 4 hours, although you could go longer), and the remainder was used for basting.<br /><br />Thanks to the help of my trusty meat thermometer, the tenderloin was grilled over medium heat to a perfect 145 F.&nbsp; Then I simply sliced it up and made tacos, topped with cilantro, queso fresco, scallions, guacamole, and <a href="http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2010/06/salsa.html">guajillo chile salsa</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqn4xwQ9y_k/UdK9fsrV4aI/AAAAAAAAIMc/sgk9rAOEOcY/s1280/tenderloin_30Jun2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqn4xwQ9y_k/UdK9fsrV4aI/AAAAAAAAIMc/sgk9rAOEOcY/s1280/tenderloin_30Jun2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Pork Tenderloin Tacos</td></tr></tbody></table>Delicious stuff.&nbsp; The pork was so tender and juicy, flavored nicely with the orange and ancho chile marinade.&nbsp; It made for outstanding soft tacos with all the taco fixings.&nbsp; The leftovers served as nice material for quesadillas the next day, too. Yum! &nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />Still having lots of fun grilling...I promise some actual running content soon!http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/07/grilled-pork-tenderloin-tacos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-6132031956069985818Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:16:00 +00002013-06-17T18:16:38.714-05:00FoodGrillingRecipesSalsaThis week in grilling news - playing with spice and sauceSorry for the lack of posts lately.&nbsp; I've simply been having a tremendous amount of fun cooking with my grill.<br /><br />I discovered this Bobby Flay recipe for <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2007/12/bobby-flays-mesa-grill-spice-crusted-strip-steak-recipe.html">spice-crusted strip steak</a>.&nbsp; The recipe was quite similar to <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Bobbys-Dry-Rubbed-Rib-Eye-Steaks-with-Mesa-Barbecue-Sauce-358849">this one</a>, the only difference really being the cut of meat; rib-eye vs. strip.&nbsp; I had a gorgeous strip steak in the freezer, so that is what I used.&nbsp; I also took a cue from the second recipe and made <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Mesa-Barbecue-Sauce-358869">Bobby's Mesa Barbecue Sauce</a> recipe to accompany the steak.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P20me280GGU/Ub8XM3CZjCI/AAAAAAAAILc/vMZAY4kB3r4/s1600/Steak_15June2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P20me280GGU/Ub8XM3CZjCI/AAAAAAAAILc/vMZAY4kB3r4/s1600/Steak_15June2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobby's Spice-Crusted Strip Steak with Mesa Barbecue Sauce</td></tr></tbody></table>The spice rub was fantastic.&nbsp; In typical Bobby Flay fashion, it added some bold, Southwestern flavors, as well as a nice, crusty texture to the steak.&nbsp; I really liked this concoction and can definitely see myself dusting future steaks with this rub mixture. &nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />As for the sauce, that was really tasty as well - tangy and sweet, with some nice dried chile flavor.&nbsp; However, it seemed like it would go better with chicken or pork. With that in mind, I used the sauce, as well as the steak spice rub, for another recipe. <br /><br />I marinated some boneless, skinless chicken thighs with the spice rub and some olive oil for a few hours in the fridge, and then I grilled them up.&nbsp; They got basted with the sauce during the last few minutes of grilling.&nbsp; Then I simply chopped up the chicken and made soft tacos with all the fixings - pico de gallo, guacamole, pepper jack cheese, diced red onion, and a little cilantro.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IwKYnXZeW-M/Ub8Xewdr39I/AAAAAAAAILk/TgoMtDGae1U/s1600/grilled_chicken_tacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IwKYnXZeW-M/Ub8Xewdr39I/AAAAAAAAILk/TgoMtDGae1U/s1600/grilled_chicken_tacos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Chicken Tacos</td></tr></tbody></table>This was a better application of not only the sauce, but also the rub.&nbsp; The chicken was marvelous with the spices forming a very flavorful crust.&nbsp; The sauce created a sweet/spicy glaze, almost tasting like a cross between barbecue and red chile sauce.&nbsp; It worked so well, and it made for some outstanding tacos.<br /><br />The spice rub and sauce proved to be quite versatile.&nbsp; Looking forward to mixing up more of both for future grilling endeavors.&nbsp; http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/06/this-week-in-grilling-news-playing-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-513144732022821325Sat, 08 Jun 2013 19:29:00 +00002013-06-08T14:31:00.488-05:00FoodGrillingSteak nightAfter a busy week, I decided to treat myself to something special on Friday night.&nbsp; I picked up a beautiful bone-in, dry-aged ribeye steak at <a href="http://www.lundsandbyerlys.com/">Lund's</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xAUhrNT9AUI/UbOBki6f5_I/AAAAAAAAIK8/Aot-eVSdzzs/s1600/DSCN7527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xAUhrNT9AUI/UbOBki6f5_I/AAAAAAAAIK8/Aot-eVSdzzs/s400/DSCN7527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous steak</td></tr></tbody></table>My goal was singular - and that was to not to screw it up!<br /><br />I seasoned the steak very simply, rubbing it with a split clove of garlic, along with some extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and a sprinkling of fresh thyme.&nbsp; The steak was 12 oz., and I grilled it for 4 minutes per side over high heat.&nbsp; <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uce-2-O0K7I/UbOB2ii27xI/AAAAAAAAILE/Fu-sj74zolU/s1600/DSCN7529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uce-2-O0K7I/UbOB2ii27xI/AAAAAAAAILE/Fu-sj74zolU/s400/DSCN7529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak night!</td></tr></tbody></table>A delicious meal!&nbsp; The flavor of dry-aged steak is simply outstanding.&nbsp; And I am happy to say I kept it on the medium-rare side, so it stayed really tender and juicy after grilling. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />If there is anything I would do differently, I did think I slightly under seasoned the steak.&nbsp; I would add a little more sea salt and black pepper.&nbsp; A steak this size can handle it, and I think it would help produce more of a crust.&nbsp; Also, I am going to try not to touch it once on the grill.&nbsp; I kept checking to make sure I wasn't overcooking the steak.&nbsp; But now that I know how long it takes, I can leave future steaks alone in order to get more attractive grill marks.&nbsp; <br /><br />But otherwise, it's hard to complain.&nbsp; The steaks at Lund's are no joke.&nbsp; Accompanied by a baked potato with fontina cheese and a side of broccoli, it was a great Friday night dinner.<br /><br />I am pretty excited that I can have steak nights at home now.&nbsp; Grilling is fun.&nbsp; <br /><br />http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/06/steak-night.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-101735812870720970Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:42:00 +00002013-06-04T17:48:10.145-05:00FoodGrillingPizzaPizza on the grillI got a new toy this weekend.&nbsp; I am now the proud owner of a grill!&nbsp; This has me pretty excited, as I have never lived anywhere that I could have one.&nbsp; Hopefully, this will open up some new culinary worlds for me.<br /><br />Yesterday I made my first pizza on the grill.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvQqaI-QuF8/Ua5om2YVK3I/AAAAAAAAIKU/fFMWEx5cYAQ/s1600/DSCN7516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvQqaI-QuF8/Ua5om2YVK3I/AAAAAAAAIKU/fFMWEx5cYAQ/s400/DSCN7516.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor pizza oven</td></tr></tbody></table>I have my <a href="http://www.emilehenryusa.com/">Emile Henry</a> pizza stone, which I love.&nbsp; It does a fantastic job in the oven, but it is also designed to withstand the intense heat of a grill.&nbsp; And it fits perfectly on the grill grates.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhM3ldmawik/Ua5pjXQJ2PI/AAAAAAAAIKg/OVPpJPl2yeU/s1600/DSCN7501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhM3ldmawik/Ua5pjXQJ2PI/AAAAAAAAIKg/OVPpJPl2yeU/s400/DSCN7501.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza stone on the grill</td></tr></tbody></table>The grill was preheated with both burners on full blast, and my pizza cooked somewhere between 8 or 9 minutes.&nbsp; The bottom of the pizza got super crispy, much more so than when cooked on the stone in an oven. &nbsp; I did screw up, however.&nbsp; First, I was a little too heavy-handed with the toppings.&nbsp; Second, I tended to peek inside the grill too much.&nbsp; As a result, the top didn't cook very evenly or get as brown as I would have liked.&nbsp; <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwpOYwh7MXE/Ua5q8DQWLuI/AAAAAAAAIKs/5_YRQuNKiSI/s1600/DSCN7518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwpOYwh7MXE/Ua5q8DQWLuI/AAAAAAAAIKs/5_YRQuNKiSI/s400/DSCN7518.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first grilled pizza</td></tr></tbody></table>I give myself a B-minus for this effort.&nbsp; Not really knowing how long it would take, this first one was a bit of an experiment.&nbsp; It will take some practice, as well as some patience and trust, allowing the grill to do its job without being tempted to look.&nbsp; Still, it was a tasty pizza, and you definitely end up with some nice grill flavor.&nbsp; This is going to be fun.<br /><br />Look for more grilled pizza and other grilled creations in future blog posts! http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/06/pizza-on-grill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-8877207976863589869Mon, 27 May 2013 03:50:00 +00002013-05-26T22:50:58.789-05:002013 Races50KRacesUltramarathonSuperior 50K videoI found this video that was filmed by another runner participating in the 2013 Superior 50K.&nbsp; I thought it was kind of neat because it really highlights the trail, shows the terrain and conditions we ran in, as well as some of the sights along the way.&nbsp;<br /><br />I ran and conversed with several of the folks seen here.&nbsp; And if you look closely at the 9:32 mark, you will see the stump that I had to grab to pull myself up towards Carlton Peak.&nbsp; Also, near the 10:18 mark, you can see a familiar character in bright orange descending Carlton. :-)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H_iFzRQk_Fw" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />Good stuff!http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/05/superior-50k-video.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-1796391272506889896Mon, 20 May 2013 20:17:00 +00002013-05-23T20:36:13.967-05:002013 Races50KRace shirtsRacesTrail RunningUltramarathonSuperior "Spring" Trail Race 50KOn Saturday I laced up my trail shoes and participated in the <a href="http://spring.superiortrailrace.com/">Superior "Spring" Trail Race 50K</a> in Lutsen, MN.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3rxGPBmT_w/UZolwJmMwnI/AAAAAAAAIIE/zWJigTEwmuo/s1600/Superior_Start1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3rxGPBmT_w/UZolwJmMwnI/AAAAAAAAIIE/zWJigTEwmuo/s1600/Superior_Start1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Caribou Highlands, ready to run at the Superior 50K</td></tr></tbody></table>The race starts at <a href="http://www.caribouhighlands.com/">Caribou Highlands</a> at the Lutsen Mountains ski hill.&nbsp; It is held on the rugged <a href="http://www.shta.org/">Superior Hiking Trail</a> and has a reputation for being one of the toughest 50K's in the region with 4200 feet of elevation gain and loss.&nbsp; The course runs on the trail from the ski hill to Carlton Peak, and then you turn around and run right back to where you started from.<br /><br />Temperatures were in the mid 40's and wouldn't move much over the course of the day, which was welcome.&nbsp; However, there was also a mix of fog, drizzle, and rain, so it would be a damp, wet, and muddy day on the trails. &nbsp; <br /><br />I got to greet a few friends at the start (<a href="http://wildknits.blogspot.com/">Lisa</a>, Wayne, Jon), listened to the last minute briefing from the race director, and soon we were off and into the woods.<br /><br /><b>Start to Oberg Mountain</b><br /><br />The first leg of the journey runs from the ski hill to Oberg Mountain.&nbsp; In this section, there are a couple of significant climbs up Mystery Mountain and Moose Mountain.&nbsp; Moose Mountain in particular is a very steep climb - too steep to run up, and almost too steep to run down!&nbsp; It is a very challenging section of the Superior Hiking Trail.&nbsp; I ran with my friend Lisa for the first few miles or so before we became separated.&nbsp; <br /><br />The views from the top of Mystery and Moose are spectacular.&nbsp; There is an impressive overlook at Mystery, and when you are on top of Moose, you can see Lake Superior on one side, and the Superior National Forest on the other.&nbsp; We spotted Dutchman's Breeches just starting to bloom, and I heard the songs of the winter wren, black-throated blue warbler, and the noisy little ovenbird on this leg of the trip.<br /><br />I was lucky to have a cheering section following me around.&nbsp; Mom and Dad were meeting me at the different aid stations.&nbsp; I had told them it might take me an hour and a half to get to Oberg.&nbsp; Turns out I underestimated myself and ran pretty well through this section.&nbsp; I was emerging from the woods to ringing cowbells and the sound of wild and crazy volunteers as my folks were pulling into the parking lot, so I almost missed them.&nbsp; However, I did stop for a quick picture!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_I_G90LjEM/UZorWL4UPTI/AAAAAAAAIIU/c6UkMnvFvCg/s1600/Superior_Oberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_I_G90LjEM/UZorWL4UPTI/AAAAAAAAIIU/c6UkMnvFvCg/s1600/Superior_Oberg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into the Oberg aid station</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Oberg to Sawbill/Britton Peak</b><br /><br />From the parking lot at Oberg Mountain we headed back into the woods, crossed the Onion River, and made our way towards Sawbill Road, the next checkpoint.&nbsp; This section of the trail is described as more "runnable" than the first (whatever that means!).&nbsp; The trail was not as severe in terms of elevation change, however there were tons of exposed tree roots and rocks.&nbsp; Add the fact that the rain was picking up, and that presented its own challenges.&nbsp; Lots of shoe-sucking mud as well.<br /><br />Believe it or not, there was still some snow at the base of Leveaux Mountain.&nbsp; Lots of wild onions poking out of the ground in this section, more ovenbirds were chirping (they were everywhere!), and I also heard two different ruffed grouse doing their spring drumming.<br /><br />I met the leaders coming back down the trail shortly before I got to the aid station.&nbsp; Here is one of the main differences between road races and trails races; nearly all of the runners, including the leaders, greeted and encouraged the other runners they met.&nbsp; "<i>Great job!</i>" "<i>Looking good, keep it up!</i>"&nbsp; It's a very different, laid-back atmosphere where everyone is cheering for everyone else.&nbsp; Extremely cool.&nbsp; <br /><br />Next stop was the Sawbill/Britton Peak aid station.&nbsp; Mom and Dad got a couple of shots of me here.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6KXxxuDnYI/UZowJ4jxCDI/AAAAAAAAIIk/SffxAo6joOM/s1600/SawbillBritton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6KXxxuDnYI/UZowJ4jxCDI/AAAAAAAAIIk/SffxAo6joOM/s1600/SawbillBritton2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the Sawbill/Britton Peak aid station</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbJde1vMfKY/UZowKv1_JfI/AAAAAAAAIIs/hygJPeqSlKg/s1600/SawbillBritton4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbJde1vMfKY/UZowKv1_JfI/AAAAAAAAIIs/hygJPeqSlKg/s1600/SawbillBritton4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for a refill</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Sawbill/Britton Peak to Carlton Peak</b><br /><br />We crossed over the Sawbill Trail and headed up to the turnaround point at Carlton Peak, which was one of the most difficult climbs of the day.&nbsp; The trail leading up there was incredibly rocky, steep, and muddy in places.&nbsp; There was one spot where it was so steep and slippery that I needed to grab hold of a stump to pull myself up.&nbsp; I met a runner coming down who said, "<i>You're almost there, and the beer is at the top</i>!" Of course, he was joking, but I appreciated the extra motivation! <br /><br />As I approached the foggy, rocky outcropping at the top, I was greeted by a voice. "<i>Come on, I know you can run all the way to the top</i>!"&nbsp; I looked up and there was gentleman manning the turnaround point.&nbsp; He was wearing an ornate Native American ceremonial buckskin outfit.&nbsp; It was a somewhat surreal, mystical, and inspiring sight.&nbsp; All that was missing was a screeching bald eagle circling overhead.&nbsp; I smiled, ran the last final steps up the steep rock, shook his hand and thanked him for being up there.<br /><br /><b>The Return Trip</b><br /><br />Since I saw no beer at the top of Carlton Peak, I figured it was time to head back towards the finish! <br /><br />The return trip was interesting and challenging for a number of reasons.&nbsp; The mud on the trails was becoming thicker and deeper due to the number of runners that had passed through there, and also because of the continued rain and drizzle.&nbsp; This made the tree roots and rocks along the trail very slippery as well.&nbsp; I nearly slipped on a couple of occasions, and I stubbed my right toe once, which may or may not have resulted in some rather colorful language.&nbsp; A brazen pileated woodpecker along the trail cackled and laughed at my escapades. <br /><br />I didn't feel all that great between Sawbill and Oberg.&nbsp; But you could truly hear the cheering, cowbells, and chaos at the Oberg aid station from miles away.&nbsp; It was an uplifting siren song, and it gave me the added boost I needed.<br /><br />At the Oberg aid station, I met up with Lisa again.&nbsp; After fueling up, I headed back into the woods to the cheers of the guy with the cowbell.&nbsp; He was still going strong, even hours after I had last seen him.&nbsp; I gestured towards Moose Mountain and shouted to him, "<i>One more time over the hump</i>!"&nbsp; He replied with even more cowbell (I <i>gotta</i> have more cowbell!) and said to me, "<i>Yeah, man, you've got this! You are looking strong</i>!"&nbsp; It was awesome.<br /><br />Back out on the trails, I ran with Lisa some more.&nbsp; We made the final ascent up Moose Mountain together, a long, steep climb.&nbsp; It is so steep that one section even had some steps that were constructed with logs to help you make it to the top.&nbsp; An exhausting climb!&nbsp; Once on some relatively level ground, Lisa took the lead, and with a burst of energy took off like a shot.&nbsp; She was gone!&nbsp; I tried to keep up but had to settle into my own pace.&nbsp; <br /><br />After descending Moose Mountain, I made the long, but not quite as steep, climb back up to Mystery Mountain.&nbsp; At that point, there was only a couple miles left, so that made me feel good.&nbsp; The mud towards the finish was positively unbelievable, as many of the 50K runners, and nearly all of the 25K runners, had already traipsed through there a couple of times.&nbsp; Parts of the trail looked like a stockyard.&nbsp; Within the last miles, I was following a girl who had a shoe completely sucked off her foot in ankle deep mud!&nbsp; She had to stop to dig out her shoe, and we both shared a good laugh.<br /><br />The pavement close to the finish was a welcome sight.&nbsp; One runner passed me and said, "<i>The beer is that way</i>!", enthusiastically pointing to the bar. (trail runners clearly like their beer!)&nbsp; We turned off the pavement, on to one of the <i>still</i> snow-covered ski runs, and rounded the corner into Caribou Highlands for the finish.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U5s7_jyvekg/UZpBY2gNGPI/AAAAAAAAII8/QJRtMhhodpg/s1600/superior_finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U5s7_jyvekg/UZpBY2gNGPI/AAAAAAAAII8/QJRtMhhodpg/s1600/superior_finish.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the corner into the finish</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AaqDkiZ_ANc/UZpBv9pfzJI/AAAAAAAAIJE/XFEUnCLEUUk/s1600/SuperiorFinish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AaqDkiZ_ANc/UZpBv9pfzJI/AAAAAAAAIJE/XFEUnCLEUUk/s1600/SuperiorFinish2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx8-PpfQYB0/UZpB0Z8sJoI/AAAAAAAAIJM/XD08n1iLOHI/s1600/SuperiorFinish4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx8-PpfQYB0/UZpB0Z8sJoI/AAAAAAAAIJM/XD08n1iLOHI/s1600/SuperiorFinish4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the finish line</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hurjIpoqERI/UZpB-soxN-I/AAAAAAAAIJU/oYXeKGrg1oI/s1600/superior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hurjIpoqERI/UZpB-soxN-I/AAAAAAAAIJU/oYXeKGrg1oI/s1600/superior.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished!</td></tr></tbody></table>I had estimated it might take me 7 hours to finish.&nbsp; I ended up doing it almost 11 minutes faster than that, finishing in 6:49:02.&nbsp; Overall, I was pleased with how the race went.&nbsp; I finished upright, and I had fun, so what more can you ask for?&nbsp; And after the race, they kindly provided hoses to allow the runners to clean up a little bit.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ERiTkUvqErI/UZpy0Zpko6I/AAAAAAAAIJk/O1nbmcWEac8/s1600/SuperiorMud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ERiTkUvqErI/UZpy0Zpko6I/AAAAAAAAIJk/O1nbmcWEac8/s1600/SuperiorMud.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice how clean the shoes and socks were</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPQkVBmudwc/UZpy1ztbpsI/AAAAAAAAIJs/qeyNlgXJiaw/s1600/SuperiorMud2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPQkVBmudwc/UZpy1ztbpsI/AAAAAAAAIJs/qeyNlgXJiaw/s1600/SuperiorMud2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hoses were working overtime with this crew!</td></tr></tbody></table>This was, by far, the hardest race I have done.&nbsp; The course is really difficult.&nbsp; But it was also a lot of fun, and I got to see some gorgeous sights.&nbsp; Aside from some lingering stiffness in my quads, I feel pretty good.&nbsp; <br /><br />A big thank you and a shout out to <a href="http://rocksteadyrunning.com/">Rocksteady Running</a>, the race director, and all of the volunteers who made this such a great event.&nbsp; While the weather certainly created challenges for the runners, it has to be especially difficult for the people at the aid stations, directing traffic, and helping the runners, all the while standing in the cold and rain.&nbsp; Job well done, everyone, and many, many thanks to all who had a hand in pulling off this event and making it the success that it was.<br /><br />Also, thanks to Mom and Dad for being my cheering section and support crew.&nbsp; It was fun to share the experience, and it was nice to have my own personal race photographers! <br /><br />Another race is in the books.&nbsp; On to the next... <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iPCdf6JBny4/UZp5D8CE9HI/AAAAAAAAIKE/ain7j5RcNDU/s1600/Superior_Medallion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iPCdf6JBny4/UZp5D8CE9HI/AAAAAAAAIKE/ain7j5RcNDU/s1600/Superior_Medallion.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wood finisher's medallion...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AY8CvAUgvbs/UZp5AvUUvCI/AAAAAAAAIJ8/oCTBZKISPoI/s1600/Superior_shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AY8CvAUgvbs/UZp5AvUUvCI/AAAAAAAAIJ8/oCTBZKISPoI/s1600/Superior_shirt.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and a groovy race shirt!</td></tr></tbody></table>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/05/superior-spring-trail-race-50k.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5608272770315039510.post-6434269381158002464Sat, 11 May 2013 19:35:00 +00002013-05-11T14:35:55.025-05:00BirdingNatureSigns of springSpring runningSpring?As I type this, it is 50 degrees with 30+ MPH wind gusts.&nbsp; Parts of the state had snow flurries this morning, and many of the lakes up north still have ice on them.<br /><br />Hello?&nbsp; Spring, where are you?<br /><br />In spite of the miserable weather, I got in a 16 miler today.&nbsp; Temps were decent for running, but the wind beat me up quite a bit.&nbsp; Tough running out there.&nbsp; That was my last "long" run before Superior, so we will see how things go.&nbsp; This has been the toughest spring for training ever.<br /><br />That being said, there are some signs of spring.&nbsp; I am starting to see more new birds every day.&nbsp; Today I observed the gray catbird has returned, along with the brown thrasher.&nbsp; Also, the palm warblers have arrived in droves today.&nbsp; They were everywhere, so we have been invaded!&nbsp; Believe it or not, that is only the second different warbler I have seen this year.&nbsp; To say spring is late is an understatement.<br /><br />Below are a few images from some recent runs.&nbsp; It is getting greener, and some flowers are trying really hard to bloom.&nbsp; And, if the prediction of temperatures close to 90 on Tuesday comes true (no, I am not joking), there will be a whole lot of blooming going on!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pHwVBTFz7E/UY6bqopr0JI/AAAAAAAAIEU/0ptX-KA1FVs/s1600/Dutchman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pHwVBTFz7E/UY6bqopr0JI/AAAAAAAAIEU/0ptX-KA1FVs/s1600/Dutchman.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutchman's Breeches starting to bloom - first spotted on May 10th</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q2J7CR9pXuE/UY6bsZRi03I/AAAAAAAAIEc/RaG2WyjRhMg/s1600/FishLakeDeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q2J7CR9pXuE/UY6bsZRi03I/AAAAAAAAIEc/RaG2WyjRhMg/s1600/FishLakeDeer.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail buddy on May 6th - there were three deer hanging out together, but this one was the most photogenic</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T7J88ldJIU0/UY6btgp4U4I/AAAAAAAAIEk/bqvaU06NXYU/s1600/bloodroots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T7J88ldJIU0/UY6btgp4U4I/AAAAAAAAIEk/bqvaU06NXYU/s1600/bloodroots.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloodroots in bloom on May 7th</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y65aMGBx7lo/UY6bvD_TX1I/AAAAAAAAIEs/SLf4KcCYZCg/s1600/fishlake1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y65aMGBx7lo/UY6bvD_TX1I/AAAAAAAAIEs/SLf4KcCYZCg/s1600/fishlake1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some green starting to appear on my local lake, taken on May 7th</td></tr></tbody></table>http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/2013/05/spring.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jean)2